title: EUS-guided Nd:YAG laser ablation of normal pancreatic tissue: a pilot study in a pig model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laser ablation with a neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser can achieve a high rate of complete tissue necrosis and has been applied as a minimally invasive, palliative option in hepatocellular carcinoma, liver metastasis in colorectal cancer, and malignant thyroid nodules.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the in vivo feasibility of EUS-guided laser ablation with an Nd:YAG laser of normal pancreatic tissue of a porcine model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective investigation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital animal laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight pigs.
  
  
  METHODS
  EUS-guided puncture of the pancreatic tail with a laser-beam fiber. An Nd:YAG laser (1.064 nm) was used, with an output power of 2 and 3 W and a total delivered energy of 500 and 1000 J in continuous mode.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 24-hour follow-up of the pigs was focused on clinical and laboratory aspects. Results of histological studies of the pancreas were obtained 24 hours after the procedure on necroscopy tissue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no technical limitations to the performance of the procedure. Tissue necrosis, localized in the pancreatic parenchyma, was observed in all animals on histological examination. The volume of ablation tissue ranged from a mean of 314 mm(3) to 483 mm(3). The ablation area ranged from a mean of 49 mm(2) to 80 mm(2). No major postprocedure complications were recorded, and all the pigs survived at 24 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Animal study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EUS-guided laser ablation of the pancreas with an Nd:YAG laser is feasible in a porcine model.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Campus Bio-Medico, University of Rome, Rome, Italy. f.dimatteo@unicampus.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Matteo
authors.forename: Margareth
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rea
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pandolfi
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rabitti
authors.forename: Grazia Maria Paola
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Masselli
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.forename: Claudio Maurizio
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pacella
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Panzera
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valeri
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costamagna
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019160:Endosonography / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013552:Swine