Argon plasma coagulation (APC) in brain tumor surgery: experimental study and clinical experiences

The present study aims to provide preliminary results of the thermal effects on rat brain tissue after argon plasma coagulation (APC). It also presents and discusses the clinical experiences in the treatment of brain tumor using APC.

A controlled study of APC in the rat brain was conducted. Twelve rats were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups. In the first group (n = 6), histopathological evaluation was performed 2 days following the coagulation. In the second group (n = 6), the evaluation was performed 12 days post operation. In a prospective study of APC-treated tumor tissue in 3 patients, the depth of plasma penetration and histological alteration were evaluated.

In the animal experiment, extent of tissue defect became significantly smaller after 12 days (p = 0.010). The maximum depth of tissue alteration after APC application was limited to 2.15 mm (range: 1.5-2.15 mm) at day 2. The histological alteration of tissue after the thermal injury can be divided into 3 zones. In addition, the depth of tissue alteration in the APC-treated human brain tumor was measured in vertical and horizontal planes under light microscope. Similar to the animal experiment result, penetration of the plasma energy in human brain tumors was limited to a maximum of 2.13 mm (range: 1.6-2.13 mm).

The limited depth of energy penetration may confirm APC as a safe and beneficial tool for coagulation of human brain tissue. However, further clinical studies are required to evaluate the suitability and indications of this method in brain tumor treatment.