Endobiliary Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepato-Biliary Diseases: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Interventional Endoscopy
• Oncology

Background:

• Malignant biliary diseases present significant therapeutic challenges with poor prognoses.
• Current curative treatments for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) offer limited patient response.
• Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is emerging as a valuable adjunct therapy for MBO.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the indications, procedural techniques, safety, and comparative efficacy of endobiliary RFA.
• To provide a comprehensive understanding of RFA's clinical applications in biliary diseases.
• To explore the future implications of endobiliary RFA for MBO management.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of endobiliary RFA in malignant biliary diseases.
• Analysis of procedural details, safety profiles, and patient outcomes.
• Comparative efficacy assessment of RFA combined with stenting versus stenting alone.

Main Results:

• Endobiliary RFA is technically feasible with a high safety profile.
• RFA significantly enhances biliary stent patency.
• Combined RFA and stenting may improve survival in MBO patients compared to stenting alone.
• RFA shows promise for treating intraductal ampullary tumors.

Conclusions:

• Endobiliary RFA demonstrates a beneficial therapeutic effect for biliary strictures.
• RFA has a potential positive impact on patient outcomes and survival in malignant biliary diseases.