title: Analysis of radiofrequency ablation of small renal tumors in patients at high anesthetic and surgical risk: urologist experience with follow-up results in the initial six months.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the results of various types of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment of renal tumors in patients with excessive anesthetic and surgical risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for RFA performed in in high risk patients were retrospectively evaluated. Other RFA applications in patients with no anesthetic and/or surgical risk were excluded. RFA was by ultrasound or CT guided percutaneous (USG/CT-PRFA) and retroperitoneally or transperitoneally laparoscopic (R/T-LRFA) techniques under general or local anethesia. Follow-up data of enhanced CT or MRI after 1, 3 and 6 months were analysed for twelve RFA applications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The RFA applications included 4 (40%) left-sided, 5 (50%) right-sided and 1 (10%) bilaterally RFA (simultaneously 1 right and 2 left). The localizations of tumors were 2 (16.6%) upper, 5 (41.6%) mid and 5 (41.6%) lower pole. The RFA applications included 9 (75%) USG-PRFA, 1 (8.3%) CT-PRFA, 1 (8.3%) T-LRFA and 1 (8.3%) R-LRFA. The mean age was 65.3 ± 8.5 (52-76) years. The mean tumor size was 29.6 ± 6.08 (15-40) mm. No complications related to the RFA were encountered in any of the cases. Failure (residual tumour) was determined in 8.3% (1/12) of USG-RFA application. The success rate was thus 91.7% (11/12). Other 1st, 3rd and 6th months follow-up data revealed no residua and recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RFA application appears to be safe as a less invasive and effective treatment modality in selected cases of small renal tumors in individuals with excessive anesthetic and also surgical risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey E-mail : zafer_akan@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehmet Bilgehan
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karakose
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gumus
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tarhan
authors.forename: Yusuf Ziya
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Atesci
authors.forename: Zafer
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Akan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000777:Anesthetics; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics