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The Surgery Center of Middle TennesseeThe Surgery Center of Middle Tennessee

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Sympathetic Ganglion Ablations

A ganglion is a cluster of nerve cell bodies. Sympathetic ganglia deliver information to the body about stress and impending danger, and are responsible for the familiar fight-or-flight response. They contain approximately 20,000 to 30,000 nerve cell bodies and are located close to and on either side of the spinal cord in long chains. Sympathetic ganglia are the tissue from which neuroblastoma tumors arise.

Sympathetic ganglion ablations involve using radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) to heat up, block, and destroy the sympathetic nerves. RFTC is a relatively safe way of delivering a longer-term, prolonged pain relief.

What Happens during a Sympathetic Ganglion Ablation?

Sympathetic ganglion ablation is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. Sometimes intravenous (IV) sedation is used to help the patient relax. During the procedure, radiofrequency waves are transmitted through the tip of a specialized needle placed into the joint using X-ray guidance. The heat generated from the needle thickens the nerve and renders it unable to transmit pain impulses.

ACL Repair Anterior Cervical Fusion (ACF) Arthrodesis Blepharoplasty Bunion/Hammer Toe Correction Cataract Surgery Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Treatments Corneal Transplants Disc Decompression Dupuytren's Surgery Epidural Steroid Injection Eye Exams and Consultations Eyelid Surgery for Aging Eyes Facet Joint Injections Ganglion Mass Excision General Anesthesia Glaucoma Laser Treatments IOLs Implantable Contact Lenses Intercostal Nerve Blocks Intrathecal Pumps – Trial and Implant Joint Arthroscopy: Knee, Shoulder and Ankle Joint Injections Ligament Repair Lumbar Discectomy Lumbar Laminectomy Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) Oculoplastics & Reconstructive Surgery Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) Orthopedic Procedures Pain Stimulator Insertion (Spinal Cord Stimulation) Peripheral Nerve Blocks Plantar Fasciotomy Pterygium Surgery Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Radiofrequency Lesioning Repair of Fractures, Tendons, Nerves Rotator Cuff Repair Sacral Nerve Stimulation Sacroiliac Joint Injection Selective Nerve Blocks (SNRB) Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial Spine Procedures Strabismus Surgery Sympathetic Ganglion Ablations Sympathetic Nerve Blocks Tenosynovectomy Trabeculectomy Trigger Point Injections Vision Services Vitrectomy YAG Laser Procedure
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The Surgery Center of Middle Tennessee
1050 North James Campbell Blvd., Suite 120,
Columbia, TN 38401

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