Influence of the heat irrigating effect of radiofrequency ablation on regional liver tissue in Bama miniature pigs
Jian Feng, Song Wang, Kai Jiang
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The results of the heat irrigating effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are uncertain, and the accurate impact of the heat irrigating effect on regional liver tissue is unknown due to a lack of control experiments. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the heat irrigating effect of RFA on regional liver tissue in Bama miniature pigs. METHODS: Eight Bama miniature pigs were randomly divided into the observation group (group A) and the control group (group B), with 4 pigs/group. An RFA electrode needle was implanted near the hepatic segment vasculature (3-5 mm from the hepatic segment portal vein) under ultrasound guidance in group A. Similarly, an RFA electrode needle was implanted far from the hepatic segment vasculature (8-10 mm from the hepatic segment portal vein) in group B. The left internal lobe and right medial lobe were chosen as RFA sites in each pig. RFA was performed at the left internal lobe on day one in each pig, and at the right medial lobe 7 d later. Each RFA lasted 12 min. The general status of the pigs and serious complications were observed during the perioperative period. The pigs were sacrificed and the livers were removed immediately after RFA on the eighth day. The samples were roughly observed. Hematoxylin-eosin and Ki67 staining, as well as TUNEL detection, were performed on the tissue sections. RESULTS: < 0.05) between group A and group B. CONCLUSION: Changes as a result of thermal damage occur in liver tissue around the ablated portal vein and its distal area due to the heat irrigating effect when the RFA electrode tip is close to (< 5 mm) the portal vein.