title: Necrotizing pancreatitis after radiofrequency destruction of pancreatic tumours.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intraoperative radiofrequency (RF) can be used to treat multiple small pancreatic tumours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients with multiple pancreatic metastases from renal cancer were treated with RF destruction of the pancreatic tumours. The first was treated with a monopolar device and the second with a bipolar device. A high temperature (>90 degrees C) was used, and one patient underwent cooling of the intrapancreatic common bile duct.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The destruction of tumours was effective. However, the two patients presented post-operatively a severe necrotizing pancreatitis, with life-threatening hemorrhagic complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RF destruction of pancreatic tumours is dangerous with current devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Gustave Roussy Institute, 39 Rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif, Cedex, France. elias@igr.fr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Baton
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sideris
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lasser
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pocard
mesh_terms: D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology*