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Modified radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Nouso Kazuhiro,
Oonishi Ayano,
Wakuta Akiko,
Kariyama Kazuya
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/hepr.12683
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatocellular carcinoma , ablation , radiofrequency ablation , thigh , surgery
Aim Radiofrequency ablation is commonly used for the treatment of early hepatocellular carcinoma. However, it requires time to ablate sufficient areas, resulting in increased burden for the patients and operators. We introduce a novel and simple method to overcome this problem.Methods We placed the grounding pad on the back (Back group) instead of the thigh of the patient (Thigh group). To assess the effect of this method, we randomly assigned the patients into two groups, based on the location of the grounding pad, and compared the outcomes.Results The ablation time until two roll‐offs was shorter in the Back group than in the Thigh group (median, 2.5 min vs 3.4 min; P = 0.01). The ablated area was larger in the Back group than that in the Thigh group ( P = 0.01) and pain was less in the Back group ( P = 0.02). No severe side‐effects were observed in either group.Conclusion This new method is useful in that it achieved shorter ablation times, expansion of the ablated areas, and reduction of pain during the ablation.