Experimental study of the safety of pancreas cryosurgery: the comparison of 2 different techniques of cryosurgery.
OBJECTIVE
To test the feasibility of cryosurgery for pancreatic carcinoma and to observe the consequence of cryosurgery by 2 different techniques.


METHODS
Twelve healthy pigs underwent laparotomy, during which, chop amputation of common bile duct and duodenum were performed, meanwhile other intra-abdominal organs with the pancreas were isolated. Two different techniques of cryosurgery were performed on the pancreas. Group A (n = 6) accepted the mild hypothermic cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen superficial refrigeration, and group B (n = 6) were performed with the deep hypothermic cryosurgery at -170 degrees C with LCS2000 cryogenic surgical system. All the animals' digestive tract was reconstructed with cholecystojejunostomy and gastroenterostomy, respectively.


RESULTS
Acute necrotizing pancreatitis occurred on all animals in group A, of which 5 of the 6 died within 1 week, whereas only 1 of the 6 reported a 4-week survival. All animals in group B survived during the observation, in which only a transient increment and a gradual correction of pancreatic amylase level were recorded. Small pancreatic pseudocyst occurred in 1 case.


CONCLUSIONS
Mild hypothermic cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen superficial refrigeration might lead to pancreatic injury and induce acute pancreatitis, yet deep hypothermic cryosurgery with adequate time showed a promising effect in destroying pancreatic tissue and preventing acute pancreatitis.
Chen
Xiao Li
XL
Research Unit of Hepato-bilio-pancreatology, Huaxi Hospital, Medical Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. zean_z@yahoo.com
Ma
Yu
Y
Wan
Yi
Y
Duan
Li Gen
LG
D000818:Animals; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D015996:Survival Rate; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors