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Laparoscopic Ablation of Liver Tumors

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Minimally Invasive Cancer Management

Abstract

Destruction of hepatic tumors by cryotherapy or radiofrequency ablation is becoming commonplace within the realm of minimally invasive techniques. Each method involves insertion of a probe through liver parenchyma into a hepatic neoplasm. Destruction of the lesion occurs as it is frozen to −180°C and subsequently thawed, or by heating it to greater than 50°C. Detection and destruction of the lesions are monitored with real-time ultrasound. Open cryosurgical hepatic procedures have been well described in the North American, Australian, and Asian literature, and its role is established in selected patients. Development and improvement of laparoscopic ultrasound probes has allowed these procedures to be performed completely laparoscopically. Early results of laparoscopic cryoablation and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation reveal that they are safe and equally efficacious as open procedures with less procedure-related morbidity and improved survival. Clearly, further studies are needed to verify these early findings and better select a patient group that may benefit from these treatment modalities.

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© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Lannitti, D.A., Dupuy, D.E. (2001). Laparoscopic Ablation of Liver Tumors. In: Greene, F.L., Heniford, B.T. (eds) Minimally Invasive Cancer Management. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3444-7_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-3444-7_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-3446-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-3444-7

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