Intraoperative radiofrequency ablation: intraductal cooling of the main bile ducts for the prevention of heat damage. A case report.
Intraoperative radiofrequency (RF) ablation has recently become a valid procedure in the treatment of liver primary or secondary malignancies in selected cases. This procedure can be used alone or in association with surgery in treating lesions not considered for curative surgery. Heat damage of the main bile ducts represents nowadays a limitation in the use of radiofrequency ablation of hepatic lesions. Up to now, in tumors proximal to a main bile duct or to the biliary bifurcation this procedure has been contraindicated. In order to preserve these structures from heat damage, a new technique consisting of intraductal cooling of the bile ducts has recently been introduced. We report a case of successful experience with this technique.
Lonardo
M T
MT
Department of General Surgery, Ospedale Evangelico Internazionale, Genoa, Italy. mariateresalonardo@libero.it
Cannici
F
F
Turtulici
G
G
Fusi
M
M
Battistini
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001652:Bile Ducts; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D003080:Cold Temperature; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome