The British journal of surgery
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This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of preoperative right portal vein embolization (PVE) with absolute ethanol in patients with hepatobiliary malignancies. ⋯ Preoperative right PVE with absolute ethanol is safe and effective for induction of selective hepatic hypertrophy in patients with hepatobiliary malignancy.
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High socioeconomic status is associated with better survival in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study investigated whether socioeconomic status is associated with differences in surgical treatment and mortality in patients with CRC. ⋯ Patients with CRC and high socioeconomic status have more favourable surgical treatment characteristics than patients with low socioeconomic status. The lower 30-day postoperative mortality found in patients with colonic cancer and high socioeconomic status is largely explained by patient and surgical factors.
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Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new technique for tumour cell ablation that is reported to involve non-thermal-based energy using high voltage at short microsecond pulse lengths. In vivo assessment of the thermal energy generated during IRE has not been performed. Thermal injury can be predicted using a critical temperature model. The aim of this study was to assess the potential for thermal injury during IRE in an in vivo porcine model. ⋯ IRE can generate thermal energy, and even thermal injury, based on tissue type, probe exposure lengths, pulse lengths and proximity to metal. Awareness of probe placement regarding proximity to critical structures as well as probe exposure length and pulse length are necessary to ensure safety and prevent thermal injury. A probe exposure of 2·5 cm or less for liver IRE, and 1·5 cm or less for pancreas, with maximum pulse length of 90 µs will result in safe and non-thermal energy delivery with spacing of 1·5-2·3 cm between probe pairs.