CT Guided Cryotherapy and Radiofrequency Ablation: Aftercare
Following your procedure, you will be required to stay in hospital overnight for routine monitoring of post procedural pain and ablation site. We would expect most patients to be discharged the following morning.
Care of the procedure site
There will be a small wound or several wounds depending on the size of the area treated. These will be closed using Steri-Strips and covered with a small dressing. These should be left in place and kept dry for 96 hours (4 days) before gently peeling them off. Once removed, check that the wound is clean, dry and healed. If you experience any bleeding apply pressure to the wound and add a dressing.
We may on occasion use a surgical suture to close the wound. In this case, they will need to be removed by your GP practice in 5 days. We will let you know at the time if this is the case.
How will I feel after the ablation?
It is common for patients to feel discomfort lasting up to 2 weeks following the procedure. We will be able to supply you with painkillers to take home. If more is required, then these can be obtained from your GP.
You may have a mild fever for one to two days following the procedure and you may experience a general sensation of ‘feeling under the weather’. This is quite common and usually only lasts a few days.
We advise a period of rest following the procedure with no strenuous exercise and no driving for a week.
Potential risks
Radiation
There are some small risks involved with the use of X-rays & CT but only the minimum amount of radiation is used to produce the images required. We all receive radiation naturally and the dose received from the procedure is similar to the natural background radiation we receive from the environment over a period of 3-4 weeks. The benefit far outweighs the tiny radiation dose you will receive.
Allergies
If contrast (dye) is used, there is a very small risk of an allergic reaction. All ablation staff are trained in dealing with such situation and medicines used to treat the reaction are kept within the CT rooms. Please remember to let us know if you are allergic to latex or any types of plaster.
Anaesthetics
As with any use of sedation or general anaesthetic, there are some risks associated, but all anaesthetists and nurses involved in the ablation procedure have appropriate training in the use of anaesthesia, and the actual incidence of such risks are minimal. The consultant anaesthetist will provide you with more information.
Thermal damage to adjacent structures
There is a risk of thermal damage to structures other than the tumour. In most cases, an area of normal appearing tissue around the tumour will also be treated, as the bordering cells may contain microscopic tumour cells that may not be visible on a scan. This reduces the risk of tumour recurrence.
However, other structures next to the tumour may be damaged during ablation such as blood vessels or nerves. If this happens, we can see it on the post procedure scan, and it can be dealt with promptly.
Potential delayed complications at the procedure site and actions to take
|
What to look for |
Possible complication |
Frequency |
Actions to take |
|
Pain and swelling |
Haematoma |
Rare |
Apply a cold compress such as an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel. Take simple pain relief such as paracetamol. This should go after a few days but if present longer please contact your GP. |
|
Red, hot, swollen area with fever or chills - more than 3 days |
Infection |
Rare |
During working hours, contact your GP for advice. Out of hours call NHS 111. Do not ignore this symptom |
|
New leg tingling, numbness or weakness (if spinal ablation) |
Nerve damage or epidural haematoma |
Rare |
Go to the A & E Department
|
|
Severe pain (if bone ablation) |
Bone fracture |
Very rare |
Go to the A & E Department |
|
Skin burns |
|
|
|
When will I know the result?
If you have had a biopsy at the same time as your procedure. The results of your biopsy and other scans and treatment plan are discussed by the specialist team at our weekly MDT meeting. This takes approximately 10-14 days but can sometimes take longer.
You will be contacted as soon as the result is available either by telephone or letter. You may decide to return to the oncology clinic for your results or you can choose to have your results from your GP.
Contact details
Imaging Department - 0121 812 3370 /
Oncology Department – 0121 812 3834 /
If you are unable to keep your appointment it is important that you let us know as soon as you can on the contact details provided above. Failure to inform us may mean that you will not be sent a further appointment in the future.