학술논문
Spacer-Supported Thermal Ablation to Prevent Carbonisation and Improve Ablation Size: A Proof of Concept Study
Document Type
Academic Journal
Source
Biomedicines. February 2023, Vol. 11 Issue 2
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2227-9059
Abstract
Author(s): Fiona Mankertz (corresponding author) [1,*]; Ole Gemeinhardt [2]; Ute Felbor [3]; Stefan Hadlich [1]; Norbert Hosten [1] 1. Introduction The development of minimally invasive procedures has conferred the possibility [...]
Thermal ablation offers a minimally invasive alternative in the treatment of hepatic tumours. Several types of ablation are utilised with different methods and indications. However, to this day, ablation size remains limited due to the formation of a central non-conductive boundary layer. In thermal ablation, this boundary layer is formed by carbonisation. Our goal was to prevent or delay carbonisation, and subsequently increase ablation size. We used bovine liver to compare ablation diameter and volume, created by a stand-alone laser applicator, with those created when utilising a spacer between laser applicator and hepatic tissue. Two spacer variants were developed: one with a closed circulation of cooling fluid and one with an open circulation into hepatic tissue. We found that the presence of a spacer significantly increased ablation volume up to 75.3 cm[sup.3], an increase of a factor of 3.19 (closed spacer) and 3.02 (open spacer) when compared to the stand-alone applicator. Statistical significance between spacer variants was also present, with the closed spacer producing a significantly larger ablation volume (p < 0.001, M[sub.Diff] = 3.053, 95% CI[1.612, 4.493]) and diameter (p < 0.001, M[sub.Diff] = 4.467, 95% CI[2.648, 6.285]) than the open spacer. We conclude that the presence of a spacer has the potential to increase ablation size.
Thermal ablation offers a minimally invasive alternative in the treatment of hepatic tumours. Several types of ablation are utilised with different methods and indications. However, to this day, ablation size remains limited due to the formation of a central non-conductive boundary layer. In thermal ablation, this boundary layer is formed by carbonisation. Our goal was to prevent or delay carbonisation, and subsequently increase ablation size. We used bovine liver to compare ablation diameter and volume, created by a stand-alone laser applicator, with those created when utilising a spacer between laser applicator and hepatic tissue. Two spacer variants were developed: one with a closed circulation of cooling fluid and one with an open circulation into hepatic tissue. We found that the presence of a spacer significantly increased ablation volume up to 75.3 cm[sup.3], an increase of a factor of 3.19 (closed spacer) and 3.02 (open spacer) when compared to the stand-alone applicator. Statistical significance between spacer variants was also present, with the closed spacer producing a significantly larger ablation volume (p < 0.001, M[sub.Diff] = 3.053, 95% CI[1.612, 4.493]) and diameter (p < 0.001, M[sub.Diff] = 4.467, 95% CI[2.648, 6.285]) than the open spacer. We conclude that the presence of a spacer has the potential to increase ablation size.