Radiofrequency Ablation Using Perfused Needle Electrodes – Study of Intermittent and Continuous Triple Needle Application ex vivo

• Published in: European surgical research Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 312 - 316
• Main Authors: Frieser, M., Schaber, S., Peters, A., Bernatik, T., Haendl, T., Hahn, E.G., Strobel, D., Hänsler, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland Karger 01.09.2005; S. Karger AG
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Catheter Ablation - instrumentation; Catheter Ablation - methods; Cattle; Electrodes; General aspects; Liver - pathology; Liver - surgery; Medical sciences; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - instrumentation; Necrosis - surgery; Needles; Original Paper; Thermoablation; Radiofrequency ablation; Minimal invasive therapy; Minimal invasive therapy, Radiofrequency ablation; Continuous; Thermal ablation; Electrodes; Medicine; Treatment; Ex vivo; Intermittent; Needle; Non invasive method; Anesthesia; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0014-312X; 1421-9921
• DOI: 10.1159/000089243

To increase necrotic zones, bovine livers were treated by means of three parallel-oriented radiofrequency ablation (RFA) needles spaced at 3 cm using a puncture guide. The triple application was varied as a continuous and intermittent energy application compared to a single needle applicator. In all three study arms the applied energy (60 W) and the perfusion rate (240 ml/h) were kept constant. After treatment the smallest necrosis diameter was determined. In addition, temperature and the device’s power output were monitored. Our study shows that synchronous use of three RFA application needles achieves significantly larger necrosis zones ex vivo than does single needle application. Intermittent energy application heats up the necrosis faster and more evenly with highest average temperature than continuous energy application.