Laparoscopic radiofrequency thermal ablation of hepatocarcinoma: preliminary experience.
The objective was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFT), performed during laparoscopy with a cooled-tip electrode needle, in the treatment of neoplastic hepatic focal lesions. Seven patients with hepatocarcinoma (10 hepatic lesions) were treated during laparoscopy with RFT using a 100-watt RF generator and 17-gauge, dual-lumen, cooled-tip electrode needles with a 3-cm exposed tip. The mean exposure time was 12 minutes for each needle insertion. Spiral computed tomography scanning detected complete tumor necrosis in nine lesions; in one lesion, peripheral neoplastic tissue was detected, and percutaneous RFT was performed. Two patients during follow-up developed two new neoplastic lesions, treated with percutaneous ethanol injection. No recurrences of the treated lesions were seen after 6 months of follow up. Intraoperative RFT with a cooled-tip electrode needle is a safe and effective local treatment of hepatic focal lesions during laparoscopic surgery. Possible indications are large hepatocarcinoma (>5 cm), superficial lesions, multiple lesions, or tumor located near vascular or biliary structures.
Goletti
O
O
Department of Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy.
Lencioni
R
R
Armillotta
N
N
Puglisi
A
A
Lippolis
P V
PV
Lorenzetti
L
L
Cioni
D
D
Musco
B
B
Bartolozzi
C
C
Cavina
E
E
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged