Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation in colorectal cancer: initial clinical results of a new bipolar radiofrequency ablation device.
OBJECTIVE
There are a number of alternative approaches to palliate cancers of the rectosigmoid, which may not be well tolerated or produce effective symptom relief. Therefore, there is a continuing need to develop alternative techniques for palliation. This paper reports our initial assessment of a new bipolar radiofrequency probe (Endoblate).


METHODS
Twelve patients with rectosigmoid tumors were treated with Endoblate during transanal endoscopic microsurgery. In ten patients, this was followed by surgical resection and two patients were treated with Endoblate alone. This study was designed to assess the technical utility of the device, immediate complications, and histologic effect.


RESULTS
There were no technical problems. In the patients who had resection of the tumor immediately after ablation (n = 10), there were no local complications evident at surgery. Histology of the resected specimens showed that, on average, 82 (range, 60-99) percent of the tumor mass was destroyed in the ablation zone. In the remaining two patients, Endoblate alone was used successfully to stop bleeding from the tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results illustrate the evolution and endoscopic application of bipolar radiofrequency technology. Endoblate showed potential as a useful and safe tool for the palliation of lower gastrointestinal malignancy.
Vavra
Petr
P
Department of Biosurgery and Surgical Technology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
Dostalik
Jan
J
Zacharoulis
Dimitris
D
Khorsandi
Shirin E
SE
Khan
Shahid A
SA
Habib
Nagy A
NA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D020700:Proctoscopes; D011351:Proctoscopy