Increasing Ablation Area Using the Arfa Ablation System: An Experimental Study in the Bovine Liver.
Toru Ishikawa1, Hiroshi Hirosawa2, Yuzo Tanabe2
1Department of Gastroenterology, Saiseikai Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan; toruishi@ngt.saiseikai.or.jp.
In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|June 30, 2026
Summary
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using a gradual power increase protocol can expand ablation areas in liver cancer treatment. While this method prolongs treatment time, it offers potential for more effective, minimally invasive procedures.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Oncology
- Thermal Ablation Techniques
Background:
- Expanding ablation area is crucial for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a common treatment modality.
- Optimizing RFA protocols is needed to improve efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate RFA protocols for increasing ablation areas in a bovine liver model.
- To evaluate the impact of varying starting and increment wattages in linear mode RFA.
- To assess the feasibility of achieving larger ablation zones with modified RFA techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a bovine liver model for RFA experiments.
- Employed an arfa 17-G electrode with varied starting and increment wattages in linear mode.
- Measured ablated tissue size and calculated heat generated.
Main Results:
- A low-power start (20 W) with a gradual increase (5 W/min) yielded sufficient ablation areas with both 30-mm and 20-mm needles.
- This protocol resulted in lower output wattage at the breakpoint and lower average wattage.
- Ablation time was prolonged compared to standard RFA.
Conclusions:
- Gradual power increase RFA (linear mode) can achieve larger ablation areas than standard RFA.
- Prolonged ablation time is a challenge, but the method shows potential for minimally invasive treatment.
- Future research should focus on strategies to mitigate extended ablation times in clinical practice.
