Novel temperature-controlled RFA probe for treatment of blocked metal biliary stents in patients with pancreaticobiliary cancers: initial experience

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is used to treat blocked biliary stents in patients with pancreaticobiliary (PB) tumors with varying results. We report our experience with a novel temperature-controlled probe for treatment of blocked metal stents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with histologically proven PB cancers and a blocked biliary stents were treated using ELRATM electrode (Taewoong Medical) under fluoroscopic guidance. Demographics, clinical outcome, stricture diameter improvements, complications and mortality at 30 days were prospectively recorded. RESULTS: Nine procedures were performed on seven patients (4 male, 3 female); mean age 65.33 (range 56 – 82 years). Mean stricture diameter prior to RFA was 1.13 mm (SD ± 0.54) and 4.42 mm (SD ± 1.54) following RFA ( P < 0.0001). Five of seven patients (71 %) required additional stents to ensure optimal drainage. There were no procedure-related complications. Mean follow-up was 193.55 days (range 31 – 540) and three of nine patients (33 %) died due to terminal cancer. CONCLUSION : These are the first reported data on use of a temperature-controlled RFA catheter in humans to treat blocked metal biliary stents. The device is safe but further randomized trials are required to establish the efficacy and survival benefits of this probe.