Electrolytic ablation as an adjunct to liver resection: Safety and efficacy in patients

Background: Electrolytic ablation is a relatively new method for the local destruction of colorectal liver metastases. Experimental work in animal models has shown this method to be safe and efficacious. However, before proceeding to clinical trials it was necessary to confirm these findings in a pilot study of five patients. Methods: Five patients with colorectal liver metastases were studied prospectively. Each patient underwent a potentially curative liver resection. One of the metastases to be removed was treated using electrolysis before resection. Each patient was monitored closely during and after electrolysis to determine any morbidity associated with the treatment. Once resected, the metastases were examined histologically for completeness of ablation. Results: All patients tolerated the electrolysis well; there were no deaths or complications related to the treatment. Histological examination of the resected metastases which had been treated electrolytically showed complete tissue destruction with no viable malignant cells remaining at the site of treatment. Discussion: This pilot study of electrolytic ablation of liver metastases in five patients showed the treatment to be well tolerated and safe. Additionally, it demonstrated total destruction of the malignant tissue at the site of electrolysis. Based on these encouraging results, clinical trials can now begin.