US-guided application of a new hybrid probe in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma: an ex vivo study

Background: Ablative therapies such as radiofrequency and cryotechnology are widely used in oncological intervention but not in the pancreatic field because of their high operative risks. A new flexible bipolar ablation device (Cryotherm probe [CTP]) was developed combining radiofrequency and cryotechnology. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the CTP in destroying neoplastic tissue of explanted pancreatic tumors of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Design: Ex vivo clinical study. Setting: Inpatient hospital setting. Patients: This study involved 16 explanted pancreatic tumors from 16 patients. Interventions: CTP application was performed on explanted pancreatic tumors. Anatomic specimens were divided into 4 groups; each group received a predefined application time of 120 to 600 seconds. Main Outcome Measurements: The coagulation diameter (short axis) perpendicular to the device's longitudinal axis was used as the primary outcome measure. Results: All pancreatic specimens showed histological signs of coagulative necrosis. There was a positive correlation between the short axis of the obtained necrosis and duration of application (r = 0.74). Limitations: This study was an ex vivo study with all limitations typical of this kind of study. Conclusions: The CTP is effective in destroying neoplastic pancreatic tissue, creating an ablation zone, the extent of which is related to the duration of application. ZR 0 ZS 0 Z8 1 ZB 2