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Electrolytic Ablation (electrolytic + ablation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Electrolytic ablation is as effective as radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of artificial liver metastases in a pig model

JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
Sebastian Hinz MD
Abstract Background The best treatment option for liver metastases is complete surgical resection. Unfortunately, at the time of diagnosis, not all patients are candidates for complete resection. Electrolytic therapy (ECT) is a novel non-thermal method of tissue destruction. We evaluated its safety and effectiveness in comparison with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods Tumor mimics were created by injecting a gel into the pig liver. The volume of the lesions was measured by ultrasound before treatment. The tumor mimics were treated with either RFA or electrolytic ablation. 48 h after treatment the liver was fixed in formalin and subjected to histological examination. Results Histological investigation confirmed that all lesions were completely surrounded by necrosis after treatment with either ECT or RFA. Two different types of necrosis were identified. After RFA the cell membranes disappeared but the nuclei were still intact, whereas after ECT these structures were completely disrupted. After ECT the necrosis was often surrounded by infiltrating lymphocytes. This inflammatory reaction was not apparent after RFA. Conclusion ECT produced predictable and reproducible necrosis in pig livers and was as effective as RFA at destroying a defined target lesion. A local inflammatory reaction after ECT may favour the development of a systemic immune response. Our results indicate that ECT is an alternative treatment option for irresectable liver metastases. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:135,138. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Cytokine response of electrolytic ablation in an ex vivo perfused liver model

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 7-8 2010
Gianpiero Gravante
Abstract Background:, The inflammatory response following hepatic ablation depends on different factors including the method used, the duration and intensity of the treatment and the presence or absence of ischemia. Debate continues about the use of different modalities and whether some aspects of the response may be advantageous by releasing immunological active substances. Little data have been published concerning the cytokine response elicited by hepatic electrolytic ablation (EA). Study of an ex vivo liver model could allow for the evaluation of this response without the influence of confounding systemic factors. Methods:, Livers explanted from 11 pigs were perfused extracorporeally with normothermic autologous blood. Four of them underwent EA after 1 h of reperfusion. Serum samples were obtained up to 6 h after the reperfusion and assayed for IL-1,, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-,, TNF-,. Results:, Significant changes in the control group were observed for IL-6 after the second hour and IL-8 after the first hour compared with baseline levels (P < 0.001). In the EA group, IL-6 and IL-12 were raised after the second hour and IL-8 and IL-10 after the first hour (P < 0.001). The comparison between groups showed significant differences for IL-2, IL-4 (decreased in the EA group compared with controls), IL-10 and TNF-, (EA group increased compared with controls; P < 0.001). Conclusions:, The ex vivo perfused liver model demonstrated changes in levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and TNF-, following hepatic EA. [source]

Use of electrolysis as an adjunct to liver resection

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 8 2002
B. G. Fosh
Background: Patients with hepatic metastases are potentially curable if all the diseased tissue can be resected. Unfortunately, only 10,20 per cent of patients are suitable for curative resection. Electrolysis is a novel non-thermal method of tissue ablation. When used in conjunction with surgery it may increase the number of resectable liver tumours with curative treatment. Methods: All patients had been deemed inoperable using currently accepted criteria. Nine patients with hepatic deposits from colorectal carcinoma underwent combined surgical resection and electrolytic ablation of metastases. Results: The treatment was associated with minimal morbidity. Within the electrolytically treated area seven patients had no radiological evidence of recurrence at a median follow-up of 9 (range 6,43) months; local recurrence was detected in two patients. Six of the nine patients had metastases elsewhere in the liver with four having extrahepatic metastases. Three patients remain tumour free. Three patients died. The median survival was 17 (range 9,24) months from the time of treatment. Discussion: Electrolysis with resection may confer a disease-free and overall survival benefit. The small size of this initial study precludes statistical analysis, but preliminary results are encouraging. © 2002 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source]