title: The Effects of Irreversible Electroporation on the Achilles Tendon: An Experimental Study in a Rabbit Model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the potential effects of irreversible electroporation ablation on the Achilles tendon in a rabbit model and to compare the histopathological and biomechanical changes between specimens following electroporation ablation and radiofrequency ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 140 six-month-old male New Zealand rabbits were used. The animals were randomly divided into two groups, 70 in the radiofrequency ablation group and 70 in the electroporation group. In situ ablations were applied directly to the Achilles tendons of rabbits using typical electroporation (1800 V/cm, 90 pulses) and radiofrequency ablation (power control mode) protocols. Histopathological and biomechanical evaluations were performed to examine the effects of electroporation ablation and radiofrequency ablation over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both electroporation and radiofrequency ablation produced complete cell ablation in the target region. Thermal damage resulted in tendon rupture 3 days post radiofrequency ablation. In contrast, electroporation-ablated Achilles tendons preserved their biomechanical properties and showed no detectable rupture at this time point. The electroporation-ablated tendons exhibited signs of recovery, including tenoblast regeneration and angiogenesis within 2 weeks, and the restoration of their integral structure was evident within 12 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When applying electroporation to ablate solid tumors, major advantage could be that collateral damage to adjacent tendons or ligaments is minimized due to the unique ability of electroporation ablation to target the cell membrane. This advantage could have a significant impact on the field of tumor ablation near vital tendons or ligaments.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedics Oncology Institute of Chinese PLA and Department of Orthopedics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China; Department of General Surgery, NO. 202 Hospital of PLA, Shenyang, Liaoning, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jingjing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Mingwei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Orthopedics Oncology Institute of Chinese PLA and Department of Orthopedics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Kui
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Orthopedics Oncology Institute of Chinese PLA and Department of Orthopedics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qingyu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Orthopedics Oncology Institute of Chinese PLA and Department of Orthopedics, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011817:Rabbits; D012421:Rupture