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.