Current Practice in the Treatment of Colorectal Liver Metastases by Irreversible Electroporation: An International Questionnaire Survey (LIVERMET-IRE-Q)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a form of non-thermal ablation that delivers pulses of high-voltage electric current between electrodes. Although IRE has been demonstrated to achieve tumor necrosis, its role in the treatment of colorectal hepatic metastases is unestablished. This study is an international questionnaire survey on the use of IRE for patients with colorectal hepatic metastases. METHODS: A questionnaire addressing views on the use of IRE for colorectal liver metastases was circulated to clinicians with an interest and/or expertise in this technique. The questionnaire addressed indications for the use of IRE in a range of scenarios: methods of use, assessment of treatment response, and outcome. RESULTS: 64 clinicians from 17 different countries replied to the questionnaire. The preferred mode of delivery of IRE was percutaneous treatment under computed tomographic guidance. Thirty-three (70% of 47 respondents) used IRE exclusively for lesions in proximity to inflow or outflow structures. Twenty (43% respondents) used IRE as their sole ablative treatment, while 19 (40% of 47 respondents) used IRE in combination with thermal ablation. The maximum number of lesions that could be treated by IRE was two and the preferred size of lesion was <3 cm. CONCLUSION: Respondents to this international questionnaire survey indicate that IRE is an acceptable ablative option for small colorectal liver metastases (<3 m in diameter) close to inflow/outflow structures.
Source: Digestive Surgery
DOI: 10.1159/000543634
Authors: Harry V.M. Spiers, Saurabh Jamdar, Santhalingam Jegatheeswaran, Nicola De Liguori Carino, Panagiotis Stathakis, Vinotha Nadarajah, Krishna V. Menon, Sanjay Pandanaboyana, Adam E. Frampton, Tze Min Wah, Shahid Farid, Hassan Z. Malik, Robert P. Jones, Jonathan Evans, Ajith K. Siriwardena, on behalf of the LIVERMET-IRE Collaborative
Language: English
Subfield: Biotechnology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4409485857