A comparison of three different microwave systems for laparoscopic liver tumor ablation

Background Our aim was to perform a comparison of three current microwave ablation (MWA) systems widely used for laparoscopic liver ablations in terms of ablation kinetics and geometry of ablation zones. Methods This was a retrospective, institutional review board‐approved study comparing Emprint, Emprint HP, and NeuWave systems for laparoscopic liver ablation. Analyses were performed via Mann−Whitney U and χ 2 tests. Continuous data are presented as median (interquartile range). Results For Emprint, Emprint HP, and NeuWave groups, tumor size was 1.16 (0.8), 1.21 (0.7), and 1.27 (0.9) cm ( p = 0.54). Ablation time per lesion was 7 (6), 4 (2.8), and 4 (3.3) min ( p < 0.0001), yielding similar ablation zone volumes and margins. The time to first ablation bubble was 1 (0.13), 1.5 (0.85), and 0.75 (0.5) min, and total ablation times were 7 (4.4), 4 (2), and 3.5 (2.8) min ( p < 0.0001). The roundness index A, B, and transverse were 0.94, 0.98, and 0.79; 0.95, 0.95, and 0.78; and 1.02, 0.95, and 0.96. Conclusions Although a saline‐cooling system with Emprint system allowed for larger diameter spherical ablation zones to be created, it led to decreased efficiency compared to the CO 2 ‐cooled NeuWave system, which exposes the active antenna directly to tissue. Increased power delivered by Emprint HP improved the efficiency of saline‐cooled design, as demonstrated by faster ablation times.