title: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation in colorectal cancer: initial clinical results of a new bipolar radiofrequency ablation device.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosurgery and Surgical Technology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vavra
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dostalik
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zacharoulis
authors.forename: Shirin E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Khorsandi
authors.forename: Shahid A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Nagy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Habib
mesh_terms: 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