What are the side effects of radiofrequency ablation for lung cancer?

  As a minimally invasive technique, radiofrequency ablation is less invasive, safe and reliable, but there are still certain complications, mainly including: a. Pneumothorax The highest incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications is pneumothorax (4.5%-61.1%), which is caused by electrode needle puncture. Pneumothorax is easily caused by emphysema, pulmonary alveoli, large ablated tumor size, more than one ablated lesion at a time, and long distance of electrode needle in the lung. For small amount of pneumothorax, no special treatment can be given. For medium to large amount of pneumothorax, thoracentesis or placement of closed chest drainage device is feasible.  Intrapulmonary hemorrhage and hemoptysis The incidence of intrapulmonary hemorrhage is about 5.9%-23%, and a certain amount of intrapulmonary hemorrhage is manifested as hemoptysis, which is mostly caused by radiofrequency electrode needle puncture injury to blood vessels and is not related to ablation. Hemoptysis is mostly self-limiting, and hemostatic drugs can be applied when necessary. If a large amount of hemoptysis occurs, it is necessary to prevent asphyxia.  Intraoperative cough is mainly caused by the local temperature increase of the lesion stimulating the alveoli, bronchial lining or pleura. Oral codeine half an hour before surgery can reduce the coughing reaction. Postoperative cough is caused by the inflammatory reaction caused by local tumor tissue necrosis and thermal damage of surrounding lung tissue after radiofrequency ablation.  Pain is caused by coagulation and necrosis of tumor tissues and inflammation and edema of lung tissues after the treatment, so analgesics can be given if necessary.  Fever is caused by tumor necrosis and inflammatory reaction of tumor surrounding tissues caused by thermal injury, usually not more than 39 degrees, and the body temperature can be reduced to normal in 3-7 days. Physical cooling can be used, and if necessary, antipyretic drugs or small amount of glucocorticoids can be given.  Pleurisy is mainly related to the stimulation of the pleura, the early manifestation of a certain amount of pleural exudate, later may appear pleural thickening. A small amount of pleural exudation can be treated without special treatment, and glucocorticoids can be used when the amount of exudation is high.  Pulmonary infections occur mostly in patients who are old, poor in health, with chronic bronchitis and chronic interstitial lung lesions. To prevent pulmonary infections, antimicrobial agents should be used routinely after surgery.  Eight, skin burns are caused by poor contact between the circuit electrode and the skin, or too long energization time. Therefore, when applying the circuit electrode plate, care should be taken to apply it on the outer side of both thighs where there are more muscles and flatter skin, and prepare the skin first when there are more body hairs, and pay attention to make close contact between the electrode plate and the skin without leaving any gap. Nowadays, skin burns are very rare.