Is it right to use general anesthesia for RF Endovenous ablation instead of local anesthesia?

If the patient can tolerate the pain during the RF endovenous ablation of varicose veins, is it possible that they can use conscious sedation for the procedure? Is it also possible that the procedure can last for two hours?

Answers from doctors (6)


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Nov 22, 2017

The risks of general anesthesia are not necessary for ablation of saphenous veins. Saphenous Vein Ablation can be done safely and effectively under local , tumescent anesthesia. There is no need for general anesthesia for this procedure for the vast majority of patients because general anesthesia has a risk of about .3% (3 in 10,000) of a serious complication or death for the average patient with a chronic medical condition. To me that is an unacceptably high risk.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

The risks of general anesthesia are not necessary for ablation of saphenous veins. Saphenous Vein Ablation can be done safely and effectively under local , tumescent anesthesia. There is no need for general anesthesia for this procedure for the vast majority of patients because general anesthesia has a risk of about .3% (3 in 10,000) of a serious complication or death for the average patient with a chronic medical condition. To me that is an unacceptably high risk.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Oct 05, 2012

Using general anesthesia to perform RF ablation is really overkill. RF or laser ablation only require local anesthesia to perform. Both procedures, when performed by an experienced practitioner, are minimally uncomfortable. Most of my patients find that the procedures are relatively painless. Should the procedure last two hours? No. In my office, it takes longer for my staff to sterilize the treatment leg than for me to perform the procedure. 10-15 minutes is probably all an experienced doctor needs to perform an average RF or laser ablation procedure. If your practitioner needs two hours to do the procedure, I would be looking elsewhere.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1116_1499984661.jpg
Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

Using general anesthesia to perform RF ablation is really overkill. RF or laser ablation only require local anesthesia to perform. Both procedures, when performed by an experienced practitioner, are minimally uncomfortable. Most of my patients find that the procedures are relatively painless. Should the procedure last two hours? No. In my office, it takes longer for my staff to sterilize the treatment leg than for me to perform the procedure. 10-15 minutes is probably all an experienced doctor needs to perform an average RF or laser ablation procedure. If your practitioner needs two hours to do the procedure, I would be looking elsewhere.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Premier Heart & Vein Care

Published on Sep 23, 2012

Adequate tumescent anesthesia avoids many of the problems associated with both conscious sedation and general anesthesia. It also shortens the procedure time. One of the advantages of tumescent anesthesia too is that if you feel a bit of pain during treatment, additional anesthesia can easily be added, and this avoids the chance of heat associated nerve injury if you are totally sedated and cannot feel anything. It is also rare for a procedure to last for two hours, but I do not know the details of the case.

Answered by Premier Heart & Vein Care (View Profile)

Adequate tumescent anesthesia avoids many of the problems associated with both conscious sedation and general anesthesia. It also shortens the procedure time. One of the advantages of tumescent anesthesia too is that if you feel a bit of pain during treatment, additional anesthesia can easily be added, and this avoids the chance of heat associated nerve injury if you are totally sedated and cannot feel anything. It is also rare for a procedure to last for two hours, but I do not know the details of the case.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


We use a Xanax if patients request it, otherwise they don't require any sedation at all. The leg is infiltrated with tumescent anesthesia to numb it so it should be painless. There is no need for general anesthesia. Some of our patients read their Kindle during the procedure. Some of the prep work and tumescent can take time so from entering to leaving can take two hours.

Answered by North Country Thoracic & Vascular (View Profile)

We use a Xanax if patients request it, otherwise they don't require any sedation at all. The leg is infiltrated with tumescent anesthesia to numb it so it should be painless. There is no need for general anesthesia. Some of our patients read their Kindle during the procedure. Some of the prep work and tumescent can take time so from entering to leaving can take two hours.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Sep 12, 2012

RF or Laser vein ablation is usually done under local and tumescent anesthesia and not general anesthesia. Using general anesthesia is not necessarily wrong but is just not the current state of the art way to do the procedure.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1053_1499982262.jpg
Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

RF or Laser vein ablation is usually done under local and tumescent anesthesia and not general anesthesia. Using general anesthesia is not necessarily wrong but is just not the current state of the art way to do the procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center at University Medicine and Cardiology

Published on Sep 12, 2012

In our practice, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is performed in the office setting utilizing tumescent anesthesia (local numbing). There is absolutely no sedation that we utilize, which means patients can walk following the procedure, drive themselves home and go for an hour long walk. The procedure typically lasts 30-60 minutes and is performed without sedation. Hope this helps.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1245_1425080188.jpg
Answered by Vein Center at University Medicine and Cardiology

In our practice, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is performed in the office setting utilizing tumescent anesthesia (local numbing). There is absolutely no sedation that we utilize, which means patients can walk following the procedure, drive themselves home and go for an hour long walk. The procedure typically lasts 30-60 minutes and is performed without sedation. Hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Related Questions for Radiofrequency Occlusion

Radiofrequency Occlusion -2 answers
I had this procedure done 3 weeks ago, and I'm in constant pain, with burning and numbness feelings. I have tried pain rx and anti-inflammatories. Is there any treatment for this post op complication?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -6 answers
Two weeks after ablation I started to develop a huge lump on my groin. It is getting harder and it seems like it is moving upwards and getting more painful everyday.
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -4 answers
I have a stabbing pain like an ice pick and the top of my foot has been burning severely since my radiofrequency ablation 10 days ago. Is this normal? All of the pain is below the point of entry of the catheter. I am having horrible pain around the ankle area.
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -4 answers
I love to work out, and am in an athletic training program that requires I stay in good shape in the off-season. How much time should I expect to refrain from exercise after Radiofrequency Occlusion?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -6 answers
What would be the adverse effects for not wearing compressive stockings after RF ablation of GSV and foam sclerotherapy?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -5 answers
I had the venous doppler ultrasound done and I have a vein leaning against another causing numbness feeling and foot swelling b/c of the reflux. I am on warfarin and have a vena cava in already. This is on the rt. leg, what would be my recoup time?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -3 answers
I had this procedure on Sept 2 and have numbness with occasional pain in my lower shin. I do wear compression stockings. Is this normal?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -4 answers
I have deep vein reflux (incompetent femoral, common femoral and poplitetal veins) with great saphenous vein reflux, I had saphenous vein radio frequency ablation and ambulatory phlebotomy on my right leg 3 months ago. Was it the wrong procedure?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -5 answers
I had this procedure 1 week ago and am having more pain than the surgical procedure itself.
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -1 answer
When should I start seeing the results after the Radiofrequency Occlusion procedure is performed? When should I start to see my lower legs clearing of the dark marks?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works
Radiofrequency Occlusion -3 answers
I had 2 radiofrequency ablations (great + small saphenous), 3 laser perforators, and 2 ambulatory phlebectomies (calf + thigh). After 2 weeks, I weirdly feel blood filling in side/back lower calf /ankle when I stand up. Is this normal? It does not hurt.
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -2 answers
I had a catheter ablation to cure my PSVT on September 5th. They burned out extra fibers that I had. My groin has healed and is not bruised anymore, but I still get a pinching feeling from my lower stomach to the groin area every now and then when I stand up. Can the catheter bruise the vein? If so, is this normal? And if this is normal, how long does it last?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -10 answers
Will insurance cover the cost? Does the procedure involve an overnight hospital stay I will need to budget for?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -4 answers
I had a vein ablation 4 yrs ago and have had blue discoloration on calf since procedure where the doctor injected the spider vein treatment solution. I've had occasional pain until eight months ago, now the pain is constant. Causes?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -3 answers
After my doctor cleared me, I resumed my exercise routine, which included running, cycling, strength training, etc. I used to deeply massage tight muscles after exercise using a foam roller or a lacrosse ball and would love to go back doing it again, but I am concerned that pressure from this massage may be too much given I just had the radiofrequency occlusion procedure one month ago. Can I use these items to massage my calves, or do I risk damaging the vein or re-opening it?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -4 answers
When at the dentist, I was given lidocaine to numb the area. It caused a brief, irregular heart beat for less than 30 seconds. I am concerned about receiving lidocaine in my upcoming radiofrequency ablation. My doctor's answer seemed too flippant. Do I have reason to be worried?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -6 answers
I have minor reflux on both calves (small saphenous vein) and will be scheduled for VNUS radiofrequency occlusion. My doctor said we could do one leg first and another leg the next day. Is it too soon? I'm worried about the chance of blood clot (DVT). After having the procedure performed on one leg, how soon can the same procedure can be done on the opposite leg?
See More
Radiofrequency Occlusion -4 answers
I had a venous ulcer that I treated myself and it finally healed. Following that, I had a dr. perform radiofrequency ablation, which was not successful. According to the doctor, my perforator vein wiggled. Is it normal for the vein to move? If so, would that really have caused my procedure to be unsuccessful?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works

Related Articles

Have specific questions?
ASK A DOCTOR