European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, 2006, 18:89 - 92

Veenendaal LM, Borel Rinkes IH, van Hillegersberg R.

Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. Dit e-mailadres is beschermd tegen spambots. U heeft Javascript nodig om het te kunnen zien.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a reliable method of creating thermally induced coagulation necrosis. Local recurrence after RFA of hepatic metastases is directly dependent on tumour size related to the free margin of ablation.

To produce larger coagulation volumes a bipolar radiofrequency device was developed that allows the simultaneous activation of three active needles. This technique was used at laparotomy in a patient with liver metastases of an endocrine tumour. Coagulation size up to 12 cm in diameter could be created

The postoperative recovery of the patient was uncomplicated. No local recurrence was seen after 13 months of follow-up with computed tomography scan. The use of simultaneously operated multiple radiofrequency electrodes in a multipolar mode expands the treatment options for patients with large and unresectable intrahepatic metastases.