Preventing External Skin Burns During Thermal Radiofrequency Neurotomy

Myth: Placing an electrical dispersive pad on a patient during radiofrequency neurotomy always prevents the risk of skin burn regardless of its position and orientation. Fact: The risk of a patient suffering an external skin burn during thermal radiofrequency neurotomy is likely minimized if 1) an electrical dispersive pad is applied correctly at an appropriate distance from the nerve(s) being treated and 2) the patient is awake, alert, sensate, and able to communicate reliably so that they can report any discomfort at the electrical dispersive pad site.