Conscious analgosedation for radiofrequency ablation of lung neoplasm.
OBJECTIVE
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive therapy for pulmonary malignant cancers in patients with medical co-morbidities or refusal of surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate a conscious analgosedation protocol for RFA of lung neoplasm.


METHODS
Ten RFAs were performed. Following analgesic premedication patients underwent local anesthesia (lidocaine 2%) and propofol infusion.


RESULTS
The procedures were always uneventful. Postoperative severe pain was not reported; a deep sedation was required to allow the quick and safe management of RFA.


CONCLUSIONS
Spontaneous breathing sedation is safe in monitored and well-oxygenated patients and may limit the incidence of tension pneumothorax. Postoperative period needs a proper pain control for the first 24 h. Data on the long-term efficacy of lung tumor RFA are not yet available.
Department of Surgical, Anesthesiological Intenstive Care and Emergency Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
M L
ML
Volpe
O
O
Piazza
D
D
Palumbo
S
S
Griffo
M
M
Romano
G
G
Servillo
E
E
De Robertis
R
R
Tufano
D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed