Ablación por radiofrecuencia del lecho quirúrgico tras tumorectomía en cirugía conservadora del cáncer de mama / Radiofrequency Ablation of the Surgical Bed After Lumpectomy in Breast-conserving Surgery

INTRODUCCIÓN: Obtener márgenes libres en cirugía conservadora del cáncer de mama (CCCM) es esencial para evitar la recurrencia local, precisando para ello la reintervención en múltiples ocasiones. La ablación por radiofrecuencia (ARF) de los márgenes tras tumorectomía parece ser una herramienta útil para evitar las reintervenciones, aunque con insuficiente evidencia. En este estudio se analiza la eficacia y seguridad de la ARF tras la CCCM para obtener márgenes libres. MÉTODOS: Estudio experimental, no aleatorizado, realizado en un grupo intervención de 40 pacientes al que se aplicó ARF tras tumorectomía y exéresis posterior de los márgenes, y otro grupo control histórico de 40 pacientes al que se realizó CCCM. En el grupo intervención, se analizó el efecto de la ARF sobre la viabilidad de las células tumorales en los márgenes extirpados. Se realizó además un análisis comparativo sobre el porcentaje de reintervenciones, las complicaciones y el resultado estético en ambos grupos. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 240 márgenes extirpados tras ARF, evidenciando un elevado número de márgenes libres. Comparado con el grupo control, disminuyó significativamente el número de reintervenciones (0% vs. 12%; p = 0,02), sin hallar diferencias respecto a las complicaciones (5% vs. 10%; p = 0,67) ni al resultado estético (excelente o bueno 92,5% vs. 95%; p = 0,3). CONCLUSIONES: La ARF tras tumorectomía es una técnica sencilla, segura y eficaz para la obtención de márgenes libres, y permite reducir las reintervenciones sin afectar a las complicaciones ni al resultado estético

INTRODUCTION: Obtaining tumor-free margins during breast conservative surgery (BCS) is essential to avoid local recurrence and frequently requires reoperation. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of surgical margins after lumpectomy seems to be a helpful tool to avoid reoperations, but evidence is insufficient. This study analyzes the efficacy and safety of RFA after BCS to obtain free surgical margins. METHODS: Non-randomized experimental study performed in an intervention group of 40 patients assigned to receive RFA after lumpectomy and successive resection of surgical margins, and a historical control group of 40 patients treated with BCS alone. In the intervention group, the RFA effect on tumor cell viability in the surgical margins was analyzed. Also, reoperation rate, complications and cosmetic results were compared in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 240 excised margins were analyzed after RFA, obtaining a high number of tumor-free margins. Compared to the control group, the reoperation rate decreased significantly (0% vs 12%; P = .02), without differences in terms of postoperative complications (10% vs 5%; P = .67) or cosmetic results (excellent or good 92.5% vs 95%; P = .3). CONCLUSIONS: RFA after lumpectomy is a reliable, safe and successful procedure to obtain tumor-free surgical margins and to decrease the reoperation rate without affecting complications or compromising cosmetic results

Radiofrequency Ablation of the Surgical Bed After Lumpectomy in Breast-conserving Surgery. / Ablación por radiofrecuencia del lecho quirúrgico tras tumorectomía en cirugía conservadora del cáncer de mama.

INTRODUCTION: Obtaining tumor-free margins during breast conservative surgery (BCS) is essential to avoid local recurrence and frequently requires reoperation. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of surgical margins after lumpectomy seems to be a helpful tool to avoid reoperations, but evidence is insufficient. This study analyzes the efficacy and safety of RFA after BCS to obtain free surgical margins. METHODS: Non-randomized experimental study performed in an intervention group of 40 patients assigned to receive RFA after lumpectomy and successive resection of surgical margins, and a historical control group of 40 patients treated with BCS alone. In the intervention group, the RFA effect on tumor cell viability in the surgical margins was analyzed. Also, reoperation rate, complications and cosmetic results were compared in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 240 excised margins were analyzed after RFA, obtaining a high number of tumor-free margins. Compared to the control group, the reoperation rate decreased significantly (0% vs 12%; P=.02), without differences in terms of postoperative complications (10% vs 5%; P=.67) or cosmetic results (excellent or good 92.5% vs 95%; P=.3). CONCLUSIONS: RFA after lumpectomy is a reliable, safe and successful procedure to obtain tumor-free surgical margins and to decrease the reoperation rate without affecting complications or compromising cosmetic results.