Radiofrequency Ablation Using a Separable Clustered Electrode for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinomas: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Dual-Switching Monopolar Mode Versus a Single-Switching Monopolar Mode
Jae Won Choi, Jeong Min Lee, Dong Ho Lee, Jung‐Hwan Yoon, Yoon Jun Kim, Jeong‐Hoon Lee, Su Jong Yu, Eun Ju Cho
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to prospectively compare the efficacy, safety, and mid-term outcomes of dual-switching monopolar (DSM) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to those of conventional single-switching monopolar (SSM) RFA in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center, two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients upon enrollment. A total of 80 patients with 94 HCC nodules were randomized into either the DSM-RFA group or SSM-RFA group in a 1:1 ratio, using a blocked randomization method (block size 2). The primary endpoint was the minimum diameter of the ablation zone per unit time. The secondary endpoints included other technical parameters, complication rate, technique efficacy, and 2-year clinical outcomes. RESULTS: = 0.265). CONCLUSION: Although DSM-RFA using a separable clustered electrode delivers higher ablation energy than SSM-RFA, its effectiveness failed to show superiority over SSM-RFA in the treatment of HCC.