Evaluating laser ablation of rabbit liver tissue in vitro and in vivo

Objective To evaluate the ablation zone and temperature changes in the liver caused by laser ablation in vitro and in vivo.Methods Single needle single point laser ablation was performed in vitro with porcine liver using 5 W and 7 W-power and in vivo with rabbit liver using 5 W-power.All energy outputs were 1 800 J.The ablation zone and temperature changes were evaluated.Results Coagulation caused by laser ablation was divided into a black carbonized area and a brown white necrotic area from inside to out,respectively.The mean in vitro ablation range obtained by 5 W and 7 W-power laser ablation was 1.9 cm × 1.2 cm × 1.2 cm and 2.5 cm × 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm,respectively.The mean in vitro black carbonized range obtained by 5 W and 7 W-power laser ablation was 1.1 cm × 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm and 1.4 cm × 0.7 cm ×0.7 cm,respectively.The average maximum temperature using 5 W-power was 243.57 ℃,62.47 ℃ and 34.27 ℃ in the ablation center,5 mm from the center,and 10 mm from the center,respectively.For in vivo liver experimentation,the average maximum temperature using 5 W-power was 62.26 ℃ and 44.35 ℃5 mm and 10 mm from the center,respectively.Conclusion Laser ablation can cause coagulation necrosis of the liver tissue in vitro and in vivo,and the ablation range increased with increasing power.Laser ablation may have potential use in the ablation of tumor localized in critical sites. Key words: Laser ablation;  Liver;  Temperature