Working Principle of Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Surgery

radiofrequency-ablation-of-haemorrhoids-fistula-under-local-anaesthesia

Working Principle of Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for tumors, Hemorrhoids & Anal Fistule , Nerve ablation (pain management), and Varicose veins Surgery 

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses high-frequency alternating current (350–500 kHz) to generate controlled heat and destroy targeted tissues. It is widely used in tumors, hemorrhoids, anal fistulas, nerve ablation (pain management), and varicose veins surgery.

📞 Contact

Unique Medi Trade

📞 +8801717811312
📧 Email: uniquemeditrade21@gmail.com

 

The RFA process follows three key mechanisms:

  1. Ionic Agitation → Heat Generation
  2. Protein Denaturation → Cell Death
  3. Tissue Collapse → Shrinkage or Absorption

1. Ionic Agitation – Heat Generation

  • When RF energy is applied through an electrode, it creates a rapidly alternating electric field in the tissue.
  • Charged ions (e.g., Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻) within the extracellular and intracellular fluid begin to vibrate and oscillate due to this high-frequency field.
  • This rapid movement of ions causes friction, which generates heat inside the tissue.
  • The temperature rises (typically 60–100°C), initiating thermal damage.

🟢 Effect: Produces controlled heating within the target tissue without affecting surrounding structures significantly.


2. Protein Denaturation – Cellular Destruction

  • As the temperature increases beyond 60°C, proteins within the cell begin to denature (lose their natural structure).
  • This leads to:
    Enzyme inactivation → Disrupts cellular metabolism.
    Membrane disruption → Cell walls lose integrity.
    Coagulative necrosis → The tissue becomes non-functional and starts breaking down.

🟢 Effect: The targeted cells lose function and die, preventing abnormal tissue from growing or spreading.


3. Tissue Collapse – Structural Breakdown

  • After the proteins denature, the affected tissue shrinks and dehydrates, leading to:
    Closure of blood vessels → Stops further blood supply (used in vein ablation).
    Fibrotic scar formation → The body absorbs dead tissue over time.
    Loss of abnormal function → Effective for tumors, Hemorrhoids & Anal Fistule , nerve ablation (pain management), and varicose veins.

🟢 Effect: The damaged tissue collapses, shrinks, or gets resorbed, completing the ablation process.


1. RFA for Tumors (Liver, Kidney, Lung, Bone, Thyroid, etc.)

Working Mechanism:

  • A thin probe (electrode) is inserted into the tumor under ultrasound, CT, or MRI guidance.
  • Radiofrequency energy heats the tumor to 60–100°C, causing coagulative necrosis.
  • The tumor cells die, and the body gradually absorbs or scars off the tissue over time.

Effective for: Liver cancer, kidney cancer, lung nodules, bone tumors, thyroid nodules.
Advantage: Minimally invasive, quick recovery, and can be repeated if needed.


2. RFA for Hemorrhoids & Anal Fistulas

Working Mechanism:

  • A needle-like RFA probe is inserted into the hemorrhoidal tissue or fistula tract.
  • The RF current generates heat, leading to vascular coagulation and tissue shrinkage.
  • For hemorrhoids, the blood supply is cut off, and the swollen veins shrink and scar off.
  • For anal fistulas, the abnormal tract is ablated and sealed to promote healing.

Effective for: Grade 2–4 hemorrhoids, complex anal fistulas.
Advantage: Less bleeding, minimal post-operative pain, faster healing compared to traditional surgery.


3. RFA for Nerve Ablation (Pain Management)

Working Mechanism:

  • A thin RF catheter is placed near the target nerve under fluoroscopy (X-ray) or ultrasound guidance.
  • The RF energy disrupts the pain-conducting nerve fibers, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain.
  • This provides long-lasting pain relief without the need for medication.

Effective for: Chronic back pain, arthritis, trigeminal neuralgia, sciatica, post-surgical pain.
Advantage: Non-surgical, precise targeting, relief lasts from months to years.


4. RFA for Varicose Veins Surgery (Endovenous RFA Ablation)

Working Mechanism:

  • A thin RFA catheter is inserted into the affected vein under ultrasound guidance.
  • The RF energy heats the vein walls, causing collagen contraction and vein closure.
  • The body reroutes blood flow to healthier veins, and the closed vein gradually disappears.

Effective for: Large varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
Advantage: Minimally invasive, no surgical scars, faster recovery than vein stripping.


Conclusion

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a highly effective, safe, and minimally invasive technique for various conditions:

  • Tumors → Destroys cancer cells with heat.
  • Hemorrhoids & Fistulas → Shrinks and seals abnormal tissues.
  • Nerve Ablation → Blocks pain signals for long-term relief.
  • Varicose Veins → Closes diseased veins and redirects blood flow.

 

📞 Contact

Unique Medi Trade

📞 +8801717811312
📧 Email: uniquemeditrade21@gmail.com