Effect of a microwave coagulator on implanted liver neoplasms in rats

An experimental study was conducted to determine the applicability of a mic rowave (MW) source for coagulation and dissection of metastatic tumour and liver parenchyma, Twenty PVG rats were studied after implantation of MC28 t umour cells into the liver. Eleven days later they underwent sham laparotom y (control) MW coagulation of the tumour deposit, local resection of the tu mour deposit with 2 mm clearance or resection of the tumour with MW coagula tion of the resection zone. The control animals all died with blood-stained ascites and heavy tumour burden in the liver. After MW coagulation, tumour s disappeared in all but one rat, Local resection also led to tumour cleara nce in 4 of 5 rats. MW coagulation of the resection zone allowed rapid bloo dless resection, and no tumour recurrence was observed after 40-89 days. We conclude that MW coagulation is a potentially useful tool for ablation of hepatic metastasis and as an adjunct to hepatic resection.