title: Comparison between cryoablation and irreversible electroporation of rabbit livers at a location close to the gallbladder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ablation of liver tumors located close to the gallbladder is likely to lead to complications. The aim of this article is to compare the safety and efficacy of irreversible electroporation (IRE) and cryoablation in rabbit livers at a location close to the gallbladder.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed cryoablation (n = 12) and IRE (n = 12) of the area of the liver close to the gallbladder in 24 New Zealand white rabbits in order to ensure gallbladder damage. Serum aminotransferase and serum bilirubin levels were measured before and after the ablation. Histopathological examination of the ablation zones in the liver and gallbladder was performed on the 7thday after the ablation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven days after the ablation, all 24 animals were alive. Gallbladder perforation did not occur in the IRE group; only mucosal epithelial necrosis and serous layer edema were found in this group. Gallbladder perforation occurred in four rabbits in the cryoablation group. Serum aminotransferase and serum bilirubin levels obviously increased in both groups by Day 3 and decreased gradually thereafter. The elevation in aminotransferase and bilirubin levels was greater in the cryoablation group than the IRE group. Pathological examination revealed complete necrosis of the liver parenchyma from the ablation center to the gallbladder in both groups, but bile duct and granulation tissue hyperplasia were observed in only the IRE group. Full-thickness gallbladder-wall necrosis was seen in the cryoablation group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For ablation of the liver area near the gallbladder, IRE is superior to cryoablation, both in terms of safety (no gallbladder perforation in the IRE group) and efficacy (complete necrosis and rapid recovery in the IRE group).
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China; Fuda Cancer Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jianying
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China; Fuda Cancer Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zilin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Fuda Cancer Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Fuda Cancer Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Fuda Cancer Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jibing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Fuda Cancer Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jialiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China; Fuda Cancer Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Lizhi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.affiliation: Fuda Cancer Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Fuda Cancer Hospital, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Kecheng
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Xu
keywords: ablation; cryoablation; gallbladder; irreversible electroporation; liver