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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Retroperitoneoscopic radiofrequency ablation of a solid renal mass
P Yohannes1, P Pinto, P Rotariu
1Department of Urology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, New York 11040, USA. Pyohannes@hotmail.com
Purpose:
To report a new technique for radiofrequency (RF) ablation of a solid renal mass.
Patient And Methods:
An 83-year-old man with a history of chronic renal insufficiency was found to have solid mass in the right kidney. Retroperitoneoscopic localization of the renal mass was accomplished using intraoperative ultrasonography. The lesion was treated with a 14-gauge RITA Starburst XL probe (Rita Medical Systems, Inc., Mountain View, CA).
Results:
The total treatment time included two cycles of 5.5 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications. Tissue desiccation was noted during treatment. A CT scan 48 hours after ablation showed a decrease in the density of the lesion suggestive of coagulation necrosis. The postoperative hospital course was uneventful.
Conclusion:
The retroperitoneal laparoscopic technique is a feasible approach to performing RF ablation of a solid renal mass. It facilitates direct insertion of the RF probe, allows viewing and avoidance of adjacent structures such as bowel, and permits better staging by enabling biopsy of perirenal fatty tissue.
