High-frequency irreversible electroporation ablation for the prostate in Beagle dogs

Ablation procedures have garnered significant attention as a minimally invasive treatment of prostate diseases. However, the feasibility and safety of applying high-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE) to ablate the Beagle prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment have not been thoroughly explored, the appropriate range of parameters has not been determined. In order to ensure the feasibility and safety of prostate ablation surgery, we conducted a study using Beagle dogs as subjects to investigate prostate tissue.

We utilized a composite steep pulse therapy device to perform ablations on 26 lateral lobes of the prostate in 13 Beagles, employing various parameters for different needle distances. The effectiveness of this device was assessed through the observation of the ablation area, intraoperative muscle tremors, postoperative hematological examination, and gross inspection.

The findings of our study revealed that 1,000 to 2,000 v/cm in electric field strength, combined with 5 µs pulse width and pulse number 100, is a safe parameter range for ablation of prostate tissue. At the same time, the large electric field strength (2,000 v/cm) has the best ablation effect with the biggest continuous and thorough ablation area. All parameters of H-FIRE were safe for Beagles.

H-FIRE ablation for prostate is safe and effective in dogs, which has the potential to be a useful addition to the range of minimally invasive treatments available for the treatment of BPH against this backdrop of increasing surgical practice.