title: Radio frequency ablation (RFA)-assisted pericystectomy for hepatic echinococcosis: an alternative technique.
abstract: The aim of this study is to describe an alternative technique, using radio frequency energy to perform pericystectomy for hepatic echinococcosis. We present 3 patients with hepatic echinococcosis who were treated with radio frequency ablation (RFA)-assisted pericystectomy. A Radionics Cooltip Radio Frequency System (Tyco, Greece, Radionics) with a single shaft 15 cm long needle electrode and a 2 cm exposure tip, was used. The needle electrode was inserted in consecutive sites into the "healthy" hepatic parenchyma close to the cyst wall, so that a tissue zone around the cystic cavity was gradually ablated. The complete ablation of a site was followed by sharp division of the parenchyma. The operation completed successfully in all patients. Minor bleeding and/or bile leakage were successfully controlled with RFA coagulation. No other hemostatic method was used. The postoperative course was uneventful. No evidence of recurrent disease, or any other cause of morbidity, has been demonstrated at follow up (2 y). RFA-assisted pericystectomy for hepatic hydatid disease in experienced hands, might be useful to perform a "sterile" resection, eradicating single or multiple cysts and preventing local recurrence, with minimal morbidity.
authors.affiliation: First Surgical Department, Medical School, Athens University, Laikon Hospital, Ag. Thomas 17 Str, 11527, Athens, Greece. johnpapacon@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papaconstantinou
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kontos
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prassas
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karavokyros
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bakoyiannis
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pikoulis
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Safioleas
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giannopoulos
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bastounis
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Felekouras
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed