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High operative risk of cool‐tip radiofrequency ablation for unresectable pancreatic head cancer
Author(s) -
Wu Yulian,
Tang Zhe,
Fang Heqing,
Gao Shunliang,
Chen Jian,
Wang Yong,
Yan Haichao
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.20580
Subject(s) - medicine , radiofrequency ablation , surgery , pancreatic cancer , pancreas , pancreatic fistula , pancreatic head , cancer , fistula , ablation , abdominal pain , radiology , resection
Background and Objectives To report and discuss the effect, complications and mortality of cool‐tip radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for unresectable pancreatic cancer. Methods During October 2003 to July 2004, sixteen patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer were treated by open cool‐tip RFA. One‐half of the 16 patients had tumors located in the pancreatic head. A 5‐mm minimum safe distance between RFA site and major peripancreatic vessels was kept to avoid injury to the vessels. Results Six of twelve patients with back pain got pain relief postoperatively. Pancreatic fistula occurred in three patients (18.8%) and healed smoothly in 7–10 days with routine abdominal drainage. The mortality was 25% (4/16). In the four death cases, tumors were all located in the pancreatic head; three patients with tumor close to portal vein died suddenly of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage on the 4th, 30th, 40th postoperative day respectively and a 79‐year‐old patient died of acute renal failure on the 2nd postoperative day. Conclusions Standard use of cool‐tip RFA was dangerous for pancreatic head cancer close to portal vein, in which a 5‐mm minimum safe distance between RFA site and major peripancreatic vessels might not be enough to avoid injury to the vessels. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;94:392–395. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.