Irreversible Electroporation of the Pancreas Is Feasible and Safe in a Porcine Survival Model

Abstract

This porcine model shows that IRE is feasible and safe in the pancreatic parenchyma. Computed tomography imaging reveals significant changes at 60 minutes after IRE and therefore might serve as an early indicator of therapeutic success. Clinical studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of IRE in pancreatic cancer.

Time-dependent impact of irreversible electroporation on pancreas, liver, blood vessels and nerves: a systematic review of experimental studies

“…No severe pancreatitis was reported in these studies. Only mild signs of pancreatitis were observed, characterized by a transient increase in white blood cells, amylase and lipase, which normalized by post-ablation day 3 [38,40]. One animal developed a secondary peak in serum amylase, which normalized again after the wound was opened and packed [38].…”

“…No studies reported on outcomes immediately after treatment. However, as early as 1 hour after treatment, gross pathology showed well-demarcated zones of ablation, with some cases reporting oedema, adhesions and haemorrhage [40]. Oedema and adhesions persisted at least up to 7 days post treatment, whereas haemorrhage was no longer seen at this time of evaluation [39,40].…”

“…Three studies reported on the systemic effects of IRE on in vivo pancreatic tissue [38,40,41]. No severe pancreatitis was reported in these studies.…”

“…The diameters of the ablation zones varied from 1 cm to 2.3 cm [39][40][41]. No studies reported on outcomes immediately after treatment.…”

“…Four studies on pancreatic tissue were included, performing IRE in 26 pigs [38][39][40][41]. All ablations were performed in vivo in healthy pancreatic tissue.…”