[Thermal ablation by radiofrequency of hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer: short-term results].

Abstract

Radiofrequency (RF) was used to ablate 42 colorectal liver metastases in 20 patients (10 males and 10 females) in a four years period. Median age was 62.2 years, 36 lesions (75%) had 3 cm diameter or less. An open surgical approach was adopted in 13 patients, whereas a percutaneous one in 14. On 27 surgical sessions, RFA was used in 49 procedures for a total of 81 needle applications. Morbidity was 6.0% (3 cases), one patient died on third po day for myocardial infarction. No differences in terms of complete ablation rate was observed in the two approach's groups. Overall survival was 65% with a median follow-up of 18.5 months.