Skin burn after radiofrequency liver ablation of metastatic tumor
Yagihara, M.; Takahashi, H.; Miyabe, M.; Toyooka, H.
Masui. Japanese Journal of Anesthesiology 51(10): 1117-1119
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-4892 PMID: 12428318 Document Number: 540702
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is used to treat unresectable liver tumor. The authors described a case of RFA complicated by skin burn around a ground pad. A 70-year-old female underwent RFA of liver metastatic tumor under general anesthesia. Preoperatively, two ground pads were placed on the patient's right thigh and right calf after left lateral positioning. RFA was performed three times by 90 watts for 15 min each. At the end of surgery we noticed skin burn on the right thigh. It seems that electric current concentrated on the ground pad of the right thigh especially on the proximal side. In conclusion, two ground pads should be placed one on each thigh to distribute electric current.