Robotic laser position versus freehand in CT-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for single hepatocellular carcinoma (diameter < 3 cm): a preliminary study

Purpose To compare the accuracy and safety of robotic laser position (RLP) versus freehand for antenna CT-guided microwave ablation (MWA) of single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (diameter < 3 cm).Materials and methods This retrospective study was conducted between May 2020 and June 2021. A total...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yuru Dong, Guisheng Wang, Jingjun Zhang, Shu Zhang, Xiaoxia Chen, Qing Guo, Feihuan Qu, Feng Shou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2022-12-01
Series:International Journal of Hyperthermia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02656736.2022.2072526
Description
Summary:Purpose To compare the accuracy and safety of robotic laser position (RLP) versus freehand for antenna CT-guided microwave ablation (MWA) of single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (diameter < 3 cm).Materials and methods This retrospective study was conducted between May 2020 and June 2021. A total of 40 patients with early HCC who underwent CT-guided MWA were divided into two groups: a freehand group (n = 20) and a RLP group (n = 20). Based on in-plane and out-of-plane data, the actual puncture point error (APPE), number of repositioning procedures, and operative duration were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. Ablation-related complications were compared using the Chi-squared test.Results The mean diameter of HCC patients who received MWA was 2.4 ± 0.5 cm. For in-plane APPE, APPE was comparable between the two groups (p = 0.299). However, for the out-of-plane position, the APPE in the freehand group was higher than that in the RLP group (p = 0.027). The number of repositioning procedures was 0 (range, 0–0) for RLP-guided procedures and 3 (range, 2–5) for freehand procedures, showing a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.001). The mean operative duration for freehand procedures was 39 min, compared with 26 min for RLP-guided procedures, showing a significant difference (p = 0.013). No deaths or major complications were directly related to MWA. Minor complications in the freehand group were comparable with those in the RLP group (p = 0.313).Conclusion RLP guidance significantly reduces the number of antenna repositioning procedures in MWA and improves puncture accuracy for target HCC out-of-plane. In addition, the operative duration of robotic guidance was shorter than that of freehand guidance.
ISSN:0265-6736
1464-5157