Esophageal Radiofrequency Ablation

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Care notes
• Discharge
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Esophageal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure to remove abnormal tissue from your esophagus. Abnormal tissue occurs when stomach acid from GERD changes the tissue of your esophagus.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Follow up with your healthcare provider in 2 to 3 months:

You will need tests to see if all of the abnormal tissue was removed. You may need the procedure more than once. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Medicines:

• GERD medicine will be given to decrease stomach acid. This will help the treated area in your esophagus to heal.
• Pain and numbing medicine will soothe your throat and relieve pain.
• Antinausea medicine helps control vomiting. Vomiting can cause the treated area to bleed.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Do not take NSAIDs, antiplatelets, or anticoagulants for at least 7 days after your procedure:

These medicines can cause the treated area to bleed.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Eat a liquid diet for 24 hours after your procedure:

This includes any of the following:

• Water, juice, and broth
• Coffee and tea
• Milk, ice cream, and yogurt (with no fruit in it)
• Gelatin, pudding, and custard (with no fruit in them)
• Soup with no meat, pasta, or vegetables in it (such as tomato soup)

Eat soft foods starting day 2 after your procedure:

Do this for one week. You can eat anything on a liquid diet and any of the following foods:

• Baked, broiled, roasted, or stewed meat, fish, or poultry (not fried)
• Cooked cereal such as oatmeal and grits
• Soft breads, muffins, and pancakes
• Pasta, scrambled and soft boiled eggs
• Cooked and canned fruits and vegetables with no seeds or skins
• Mashed or boiled potatoes with no skins

Contact your healthcare provider if:

• You have a fever.
• You are vomiting.
• You have problems swallowing more than 8 weeks after your procedure.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You have chest pain.
• You have difficulty breathing.
• You cough up blood or have blood in your vomit.
• You have black, tarry bowel movements.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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