title: Laparoscopic microwave thermosphere ablation of malignant liver tumors: An analysis of 53 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Microwave thermosphere ablation (MTA) is a new technology that is designed to create spherical zones of ablation using a single antenna. The aim of this study is to assess the results of MTA in a large series of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study assessing the use of MTA in patients with malignant liver tumors. The procedures were done mostly laparoscopically and ablation zones created were assessed for completeness of tumor response, spherical geometry and recurrence on tri-phasic CT scans done on follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were a total of 53 patients with an average of 3 tumors measuring 1.5 cm. Ablations were performed laparoscopically in all but eight patients. Morbidity was 11.3% (n = 6), and mortality zero. On postoperative scans, there was 99.3% tumor destruction. Roundness indices A, B, and transverse were 1.1, 1.0, and 0.9, respectively. At a median follow-up of 4.5 months, incomplete ablation was seen in 1 of 149 lesions treated (0.7%) and local tumor recurrence in 1 lesion (0.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this series confirm the safety and feasibility of MTA technology. The 99.3% rate of complete tumor ablation and low rate of local recurrence at short-term follow up are promising.
authors.affiliation: Departments of General and Endocrine Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Nisar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zaidi
authors.affiliation: Departments of General and Endocrine Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okoh
authors.affiliation: Departments of General and Endocrine Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yigitbas
authors.affiliation: Departments of General and Endocrine Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yazici
authors.affiliation: Departments of General and Endocrine Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Noaman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Departments of General and Endocrine Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Eren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berber
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: colorectal cancer; hepatocellular carcinoma; liver metastases; microwave liver ablation; neuroendocrine carcinoma