EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation of the porcine pancreas.
BACKGROUND
EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) could be used as an adjunct and effective alternative mode of treatment for unresectable locally advanced and nonmetastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, its translation into clinical practice has been restricted because of limited data and high procedure-related risk.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of EUS-RFA in the normal porcine pancreas.


METHODS
Prospective, endoscopic, experimental study in a porcine model.


METHODS
Tertiary-care referral center animal laboratory.


METHODS
Animal study.


METHODS
EUS-RFA of the pancreas was attempted on 10 adult mini pigs. An 18-gauge endoscopic RFA electrode was used to puncture the body and tail of the pancreas, with an output power of 50 W for 5 minutes.


METHODS
The feasibility, efficacy, and safety of EUS-RFA.


RESULTS
A spherical necrotic lesion surrounded by fibrous tissue localized in the pancreatic parenchyma was observed on histopathologic examination. The mean diameter of the ablated tissue was 23.0 ± 6.9 mm. No major procedure-related complications were noted, and all pigs survived without any distress behavioral pattern for 7 days until autopsy.


CONCLUSIONS
Small sample size with short-term observation and the lack of evaluation of the head of the pancreas.


CONCLUSIONS
EUS-RFA of the pancreatic body and tail was feasible, effective, and relatively safe in a porcine model. More animal studies to assess damage to adjacent organs are required before human trials can be conducted.
Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hong Jun
HJ
Kim
Dong-Wan
DW
Seo
Aizan
A
Hassanuddin
Su-Hui
SH
Kim
Hee Jung
HJ
Chae
Ji Woong
JW
Jang
Do Hyun
DH
Park
Sang Soo
SS
Lee
Sung-Koo
SK
Lee
Myung-Hwan
MH
Kim
D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D010179:Pancreas / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013552:Swine; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects