Uncooled TATO microwave system for liver ablation

Hepat Oncol. 2023 Mar 6;9(4):HEP46. doi: 10.2217/hep-2022-0002. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of uncooled TATO microwave ablation (MWA) for primary and metastatic liver cancer.

Materials & methods: This was a retrospective study on percutaneous liver ablations performed with TATO MWA. Twenty-five ablations were performed; 11 (44%) were performed for hepatocellular carcinoma, 14 (56%) for colorectal carcinoma, gastric and pancreatic metastases.

Results: Adverse events were reported only in one (4%) ablation: an abscess that was observed in the ablated area and was resolved with a percutaneous drainage and antibiotic therapy. Local tumor control rate was 92% at the 3-month follow-up.

Conclusion: TATO MWA was safe and effective with high reproducibility in treating primary and secondary liver cancer with satisfactory technical and clinical outcomes.

Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma; liver metastases; microwave ablation; safety; tumor response.

Plain language summary

The removal of cancer from the liver or liver metastases from cancers in distant sites can be performed safely and effectively with a system that uses a microwave generator (TATO) that allows a good visibility of ablation procedure under intraprocedural real-time ultrasound imaging.