HighlightsComputer assisted targeting techniques are simple to use and improve results in ablative tumour treatments.The indications for ablative soft tissue tumour ablation are increasing.Treatments are superior to resective surgery in terms of complications and hospitalization, oncological non-inferiority remains to be proven.An incomplete ablation can be retreated without negative effects on survival.Jet ventilation is an effective technique to minimize organ displacement during percutaneous or laparoscopic ablation.

BackgroundPalliative irreversible electroporation of pancreatic adenocarcinomas is rapidly gaining in interest since a large proportion of these patients cannot be radically resected.MethodsThis is a description of a minimally invasive approach to irreversible electroporation of pancreatic tumors using computer-assisted navigation, laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound to correctly guide electrodes into the tissue.ResultsThe procedure is presented.ConclusionMinimally invasive irreversible electroporation of pancreatic tumors through computer-assisted navigation of needles during laparoscopy is a feasible and accurate approach.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00464-016-5173-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

IntroductionThermal ablation of liver tumours is an established technique used in selected patients with relatively small tumours that can be ablated with margin. Thermal ablation methods are not advisable near larger bile ducts that are sensitive to thermal injury causing strictures and severe morbidity. Irreversible electroporation (IRE) has the possibility to treat these tumours without harming the bile tree. The method is relatively new and has been proven to be feasible and safe with promising oncological results.Methods50 treatments were performed on 42 patients that were not resectable or treatable by thermal ablation (12 women and 30 men) with 59 tumours in total. 51% were colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) and 34% were hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). 70% of the treatments were performed using stereotactic CT-guidance for needle placement.Results81% of the treatments were performed with initial success. All patients with missed ablations were re-treated. Local recurrence rate at 3 months was 3% and 37% at one year. The complication rate was low with 2 patients having major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade 3b-5) and without 30-day mortality.ConclusionIRE is safe for treating tumours not suitable for thermal ablation with 63% of patients being without local recurrence after one year in a group of patients with tumours deemed unresectable. IRE has a role in the treatment of unresectable liver tumours close to heat-sensitive structures not suitable for thermal ablation.Level of Evidence: Level 4, Case Series.

Purpose Evaluate the accuracy of multiple electrode placements in IRE treatment of liver tumours using a stereotactic CT-based navigation system. Method Analysing data from all IRE treatments of liver tumours at one institution until 31 December 2018. Comparing planned with validated electrode placement. Analysing lateral and angular errors and parallelism between electrode pairs Results Eighty-four tumours were treated in 60 patients. Forty-six per cent were hepatocellular carcinoma, and 36% were colorectal liver metastases. The tumours were located in all segments of the liver. Data were complete from 51 treatments. Two hundred and six electrodes and 336 electrode pairs were analysed. The median lateral and angular error, comparing planned and validated electrode placement, was 3.6 mm (range 0.2–13.6 mm) and 3.1° (range 0°–16.1°). All electrodes with a lateral error >10 mm were either re-positioned or excluded before treatment. The median angle between the electrode pairs was 3.8° (range 0.3°–17.2°). There were no electrode placement-related complications. Conclusion The use of a stereotactic CT-based system for navigation of electrode placement in IRE treatment of liver tumours is safe, accurate and user friendly.