Liver Ablation | IntraCare

Procedures

Procedures › Liver Ablation

About this procedure

This guide provides information about liver ablation procedure. It includes details about what is involved, how to prepare and what to expect during and after the procedure. Please use this in addition to information from your doctor and nurse.

A liver ablation is performed in an interventional radiology suite at IntraCare in Epsom. Your interventional radiologist will be assisted by our team of nurses and other highly skilled personnel.

Both IntraCare and Allevia Hospital will be involved with your care for this procedure. Allevia Hospital are responsible for your admission, preparation and aftercare.

What is a liver ablation?

This procedure is used to treat cancer in the liver and may be suitable for a primary liver tumour such as a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or a secondary liver tumour (metastasis) originating from a tumour in another organ, such as the colon. The goal of ablation is to specifically target and destroy cancer cells in the liver. At Intra, this is performed by freezing (cryoablation), or heating (microwave ablation (MWA)) or radiofrequency (RFA).

Cryoablation

Extremely cold temperatures are used to freeze the tumour from the inside, out.

Microwave ablation

Microwave energy is used to produce heat within the tumour.

Radiofrequency ablation

High frequency electrical currents are used to produce heat within the tumour.

Before the procedure

Pre-procedure phone call

A nurse from IntraCare will call you 24–48 hours prior to your procedure to discuss the following information:

Your admission time.
When you should stop eating and drinking.
Medication instructions.
Allergies (including medications, contrast dye, dressings/plasters and food).
Answer any further questions.

Anticoagulation (blood thinner)

If you are taking any blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin, Clexane, Pradaxa, Rivaroxaban), please make this known to IntraCare staff at the time of booking. Your interventional radiologist will advise you if you need to stop this medication temporarily for a few days before the procedure.

Other regular medications

Please continue to take these unless advised otherwise by your interventional radiologist. If you are taking a diuretic or water pills (e.g. frusemide, spironolactone), you may need to withhold this on the morning of the procedure.

Reminders for the day of your procedure

If you are on regular medication, please bring this with you in its original packaging.
Please leave all your jewellery and valuables at home. You are welcome to bring your mobile phone in with you.
We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing and shoes that are easy to slip on/off.
You are encouraged to bring a friend or a family member as a support person before and after your procedure.
This is commonly an overnight stay procedure, please bring an overnight bag with you.
The planned procedure time is an estimate only and may vary. We will keep you informed of any unexpected delays on the day.

Informed consent

As with any procedure, there are potential risks involved. Your interventional radiologist and anaesthetist will explain the procedure, discuss possible risks and answer any questions you may have. Your whānau or support person are welcome to be part of this discussion. You will then be asked to sign the consent form. This will occur either at an earlier appointment, or on the day of your procedure.

Your procedure

A liver ablation procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and can take 1–2 hours.

Preparation

You will be collected by an IntraCare nurse from ADU, Allevia Hospital to IntraCare for your procedure. An intravenous catheter (IV line) will be inserted into a vein in your arm. Medication will be given to help you relax and keep you comfortable while the anaesthetist puts you to sleep.

Once you are asleep you will be transferred to the angiography table and positioned on your back, for the best position access to the tumour.

Other devices for monitoring blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels will be fitted to ensure your safety during the procedure.

The procedure

The interventional radiologist will complete pre-ablation imaging using ultrasound.

If you are being treated using radiofrequency ablation, diathermy pads will be placed on your thighs to prevent skin burns from the electrical current. The area to be accessed will be painted with an antiseptic solution, and a sterile drape will then be placed over your body, to ensure sterility is maintained.

Using ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy as guidance, the interventional radiologist will insert and position one or more small ablation probes/needles inside the tumour. Once the interventional radiologist is happy with the position, the ablation will commence. The ablation continues until the area has been satisfactorily ablated.

A biopsy may be taken immediately before the ablation, if required.

After your procedure

You will be transferred to Post Anaethesia Care Unit (PACU) for a short period of time, before being transferred to Stella Maris ward for overnight care. If appropriate you will be discharged home the next morning.

There is a small risk of bleeding after the procedure. You will therefore need to remain in the position you wake up in, for approximately 2 hours. You will then be able to sit up slowly over the next 2 hours, as directed by your nurse.

Recovery and discharge

Following your procedure, it is important that you do not drive for 24 hours.
Please ensure you have a family member or friend to drive you home from the hospital, as you may still be under the effects of sedation.
You will need to arrange someone to be at home with you on the day of your discharge and overnight to support you in your recovery.
Due to the affects of anaesthesia, you may feel lethargic afterwards with reduced concentration. For this reason, for 24 hours after your procedure:
Do not do any activity requiring strength, concentration, or full alertness.
Do not make any legal decisions or sign legal documents.

Resuming activities

You will be able to return to work within a week of having the procedure unless your job involves heavy lifting (>5kg).
You can begin light exercise after 1 week.

Medication

Your interventional radiologist will give you a prescription for pain relief (analgesic) to take home. Please use this should you experience any dull, aching pain for the following few days.

If you are on blood thinners, your interventional radiologist will inform you of when you can recommence these.

Procedure site care

There will be small dressing over the access site. This may be removed when you have a shower the day after the procedure.

You must go to your local emergency department immediately, if you start to experience:

Increased abdominal pain despite analgesia
Feeling faint
Bleeding from the puncture site

It is vital you explain to the emergency department health professional that you have had a liver ablation with or without a biopsy.

Seek immediate medical attention (dial 111 for an ambulance) if there is excessive bleeding from the puncture site or if you are experiencing severe chest pain.

Please show this page and your discharge summary if visiting a GP, afterhours or hospital.

In case of emergency, always call 111.

Tagged Procedure