Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe by using a new laparoscopic US probe with a forward-viewing convex-array transducer.
BACKGROUND
The use of a new end-fire type laparoscopic US probe with a forward-viewing convex-array transducer allows the caudate lobe of the liver to be accessed. This study evaluated the preliminary results of treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe by using this new instrument.


METHODS
Three patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe were selected. A laparoscopic US probe, with a forward-viewing convex-array transducer at the tip and a guide groove for puncture on the back, was used to monitor the position of the radiofrequency ablation needle during the treatment.


RESULTS
Ablation was performed without complication in all cases. Complete necrosis of the tumor was confirmed by postoperative CT. At a mean follow-up of 30.3 months, no local recurrence was observed in any patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe of the liver by using a new laparoscopic US probe with a forward-viewing convex-array transducer at the tip was safe and effective.
Department of Gastroenterology, Jichi Medical School, Tochigi, Japan.
Hideaki
H
Inamori
Kenichi
K
Ido
Norio
N
Isoda
Masanori
M
Hozumi
Yasuhiro
Y
Onobuchi
Genta
G
Nagae
Hiroto
H
Kita
Yoshiaki
Y
Satoh
Nobuhiko
N
Nagamine
Kazunori
K
Ono
Kentaro
K
Sugano
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014159:Transducers