Percutaneous Ethanol Ablation Interventional Radiology
What is Ethanol Ablation?
Percutaneous Ethanol Ablation is a method to make your tumor smaller or go away. The doctor uses ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) to find your tumor. A needle is inserted into the tumor. Ethanol alcohol (100% alcohol) is injected through the needle into the tumor. The ethanol is toxic to the cancer cells and the cells die. Side effects are most often mild and go away in a short time. They can include pain at the puncture site, fever, a slight feeling of alcohol intoxication, or, rarely, bleeding.
Dates and Times
___________________ Ethanol liver tumor ablation in CT.
___________________ Pre-ablation planning ultrasound. You will meet with the radiologist to learn about the procedure and sign the consent form during this visit. G3 Module on the 3rd floor.
___________________ Lab tests. G5 module on the 2nd floor
___________________ Chest X-Ray. J5 module on the 2nd floor
___________________ EKG. G3 module on the 4th floor
___________________ Anesthesia PreScreening Clinic. F6 module on the 2nd floor in the clinic lobby.
Preparing for the Procedure
If you are currently taking aspirin, Coumadin®, Plavix®, warfarin, Aleve®, Naproxen®, or ibuprofen daily, please stop taking it 7 full days before your procedure on _________________, and do not take it on the procedure day.
You may restart it 48 hours after the procedure is over, on ________________. If you are taking Coumadin® or Plavix®, there is often a medical reason for the medicine. It may not be safe for you to stop taking it. As a result, before the ablation, we will need to discuss the use of these medicines with the doctor who prescribed them.
A nurse from First Day Surgery or Radiology will call you the day before your procedure (Friday for Monday procedures) to answer any questions, go over your medicines with you, and let you know what time to arrive.
The Night before the Ablation
- Do not eat or drink any food or milk after midnight. You may drink clear liquids (water, apple juice, coffee without cream or sugar) until (2) two hours before your scheduled ablation time. _______( )am ( )pm.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages after 8 p.m.
On the Morning of the Ablation
- Take your normal medicines with a few sips of water.
- If you take pills for diabetes, do not take any in the morning. If you take insulin, you will receive instructions from the nurse who calls you the night before to let you know how much to take. Your blood sugar will be checked when you come to the First Day Surgery area.
- Have someone drive you to the hospital. Pack a small bag to stay in the hospital overnight, although this is not always needed. You will need someone to drive you home and to stay overnight with you at home.
The Procedure
Your ablation will last 2-3 hours. You will be taken to the CT or Ultrasound scan room in your bed or cart. You will be given either monitored (heavy sedation) or general anesthesia (go to sleep for the procedure). You will have an IV line in your arm for medicines and fluids. Monitors will be used to measure your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level.
After the Procedure
After the procedure you will either be watched in the radiology prep area for about 4 hours, or you will be admitted to the hospital. You may feel pain at the site where the needle was placed, and medicines will be ordered in case you do.
When you are ready to go home, we will schedule a follow-up CT scan or MRI to check the tumor site, most often in about one month. You will be told at that time if further treatment is needed for your tumor.
After You Get Home
Drink extra fluids such as water or juice for the next 7 – 10 days to help your body clear out the anesthesia you were given. The fluids will also help your body rid itself of the toxins created by the ablation. You may have a day or two of flu-like symptoms within 10 days after you are home.
When to Call the Doctor or Nurse
- Severe pain around the site
- Temperature greater than 101° F
- Major pain for longer than 48 hours after the procedure, or pain that has become less severe and then becomes worse and does not improve.
- Nausea or vomiting that won’t go away.
Call the radiology nurse at 608-263-0693 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
At other times, please call the paging operator at 608-262-0486. Ask for the radiologist on call. Leave your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 02/26/2009
Copyright © 02/26/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5473
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