Background: Endoscopic irreversible electroporation (IRE) can be performed using a flexible, thin, needle-shaped electrode for an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of performing EUS-guided IRE with endoscopic needle-electrode in porcine pancreas.
Methods: Experimental endoscopic IRE on the pancreas were performed by EUS-guided approach in three pigs and compared with surgical approach in three pigs. The animals were killed after 24 h and their pancreases collected.
Results: IRE ablation using endoscopic needle-electrode was successful technically in EUS-guided approaches for the pancreas. Immediately following IRE, the ablated pancreatic tissue showed no gross change except focal hemorrhage. H&E staining presented a well-demarcated ablation site measuring 1.0-1.5 cm in diameter in the pancreas. TUNEL immunohistochemistry showed diffuse cell death along the puncture site 24 h after IRE. No complication was observed in pigs after endoscopic IRE ablation.
Conclusion: EUS-guided IRE ablation was feasible and effective for pancreas using the newly developed device.
Keywords: Animal; EUS; Endoscopy; Irreversible electroporation; Pancreas.