title: Feasibility of hepatic radiofrequency ablation in patients with bilioenteric anastomoses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the liver is contraindicated in the presence of bilioenteric anastomoses, because it predisposes to occasionally devastating infectious complications. The purpose of this single-center experience is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of such procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with bilioenteric anastomoses were offered ultrasound-guided RFA, if an interdisciplinary tumor board endorsed this decision, or an intraoperative opportunity to achieve a tumor-free situation emerged. All procedures were carried out under general anesthesia in a surgical operation theatre. RFA was performed percutaneously (n=3) and open surgically (n=3) with two different types of monopolar devices. All patients received antibiotic prophylaxis with various different agents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six patients with seven tumor nodules were treated. The average age of the patients was 59 +/- 7 years. Mean size of the tumors was 20 +/- 7 mm. Median follow up was 15 months. No infectious complication including intrahepatic abscess occurred. No local recurrence was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented data indicates the feasibility of RFA in patients with bilioenteric anastomoses, and infectious problems, namely intrahepatic abscess formation, do not inevitably occur. The role of antimicrobial prophylaxis remains unclear. The importance of ensuring an unobstructed and uninhibited biliary flow distally in the bilioenteric track is stressed.
authors: Dept. General, Visceral & Transplantation Surgery, Charité Virchow-Clinic, Berlin, Germany. robert_m.eisele@charite.de
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Eisele
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Veltzke-Schlieker
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Gebauer
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Denecke
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Chopra
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D000075202:Contraindications; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional