title: Radio-frequency tissue ablation in liver trauma: an experimental study.
abstract: The liver is the most frequently injured intra-abdominal organ. Radio-frequency tissue ablation (RFA) with cooled tip electrodes is here experimentally used for the treatment of liver trauma. A grade III and a grade III to IV trauma each were produced in the livers of 10 domestic pigs. RFA was applied around the sites of injury until hemostasis was achieved. The animals were sacrificed at 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days and examined. The livers were subjected to histologic and radiologic examination. Two similar traumas were created in the livers of two more animals and were left surgically untreated as a control group. The two untreated animals died immediately postoperatively, proving the severity of the injuries. Hemostasis was achieved in all treated animals. Mortality and morbidity were zero. No blood, pus, bile, or other fluid was found in the abdomen at sacrifice. A three-zone pattern of lesion was recognized around the electrode placement at histology. RFA is an efficient and safe hemostatic method for grade III and grade III to IV hepatic trauma. Further studies are required for its use in humans.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Felekouras
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kontos
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pissanou
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Drakos
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pikoulis
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papalois
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bramis
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Diamantis
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgopoulos
authors.forename: Nikiteas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikolaos
authors.forename: Frangiska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sigala
authors.forename: Efstathios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papalambros
authors.forename: Paris
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pappas
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bastounis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D013552:Swine; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology