Use of non-trocar technique for laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

We have developed a novel insertion method, a non-trocar technique for laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation, whereby an ablation needle is accurately and easily punctured into the target tumor in the liver using the 13-mm echo probe, PVM-787LA (TOSHIBA, Tokyo). By exiting methods, an ablation needle must be inserted into the abdominal cavity through the puncture hole at a distance from the echo probe due to the existence of 15-mm trocar. Under these circumstances, it is difficult to attach and slide an ablation needle along the groove of the probe in the abdominal cavity because of the large longitudinal dissociation between the needle and the probe. In order to avoid this dissociation, the echo probe is inserted directly through the hole from which the 12-mm trocar was pulled out and an ablation needle is inserted directly into the abdominal cavity through the puncture hole very adjacent to the probe. Then, an ablation needle can be easily slid along the groove of the probe.