The influence of radiofrequency ablation on hepatic vessels in porcine liver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The objective of this study was to clarify the influence of radiofrequency ablation on the portal and hepatic vein.

METHODOLOGY: Hepatic radiofrequency ablation was performed on 18 swine (mean weight, 22 kg). The livers were removed immediately, 1 week or 3 weeks following ablation. Vessel patency and diameter were determined by computed tomography, and the severity of endothelial injuries was determined histopathologically.

RESULTS

The patency rate for portal and hepatic veins with diameters less than 3.0 mm decreased sequentially. At three weeks following ablation, the patency rate for vessels with diameters more than 3.0 mm was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to those with diameters less than 2.0 mm. In portal and hepatic veins contiguous to ablated hepatic parenchyma, the endothelium with intimal thickening was found at 1 to 3 weeks following ablation, although its detection rate was decreased until 3 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

The portal and hepatic vein with diameters more than 3.0 mm in radiofrequency lesions maintained high patency. The endothelium seems to play an important role for maintaining vessels patency and the distal hepatic tissue following ablation. We believe that this maintained vascular patency may be the advantage of radiofrequency ablation over the PEIT.