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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
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Application of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy Combined with Intraoperative Microwave Ablation in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis
Published on: March 3, 2023
Pathologic correlation study of microwave coagulation therapy for hepatic malignancies using a three-ring probe.
Perry Shen1, Kim R Geisinger, Ronald Zagoria
1Department of General Surgery, Surgical Oncology Section, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. pshen@wfubmc.edu
Summary
Microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) effectively ablates liver tumors using a novel three-ring probe. This promising technique demonstrates rapid, irreversible cellular damage in hepatic malignancies, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Devices
- Surgical Techniques
Background:
- Microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) is an emerging alternative for unresectable liver tumors.
- Limited data exist on the clinical efficacy of MCT, particularly with the three-ring microwave probe.
- Pathologic evaluation of ablated tissue using this probe requires further description.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the in vivo effectiveness of MCT using a three-ring probe for hepatic malignancies.
- To assess the pathologic changes in tumor tissue and surrounding parenchyma post-ablation.
- To compare the ablation characteristics with existing techniques.
Main Methods:
- Prospective trial involving patients with resectable liver malignancies undergoing in vivo MCT prior to resection.
- Utilized a three-ring microwave probe for ablation (5 minutes at 60 W).
- Performed gross and histologic evaluations, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) vital staining, on resected specimens.
Main Results:
- Nine patients with metastatic colon cancer were analyzed.
- Median tumor size was 3.5 cm; 56% showed spontaneous coagulative necrosis.
- Median ablation zone dimensions were 5 cm x 4.5 cm x 4.2 cm, with a median volume of 50.6 cm³.
- 100% absence of NADH staining in ablated tumor and benign tissue indicated irreversible cellular damage.
Conclusions:
- In vivo MCT with the three-ring probe effectively creates nonviable tumor cells in hepatic malignancies within a 5-minute ablation period.
- The ablation time is notably shorter than other techniques.
- Histologic examination confirms coagulative necrosis, supporting MCT as a promising technology for further study.
