Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is also used for the treatment of unresectable malignancies of the abdominal cavity. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that ECT of a porcine portal vein anastomosis is a safe and effective method, in order to expand the indications for ECT in locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The study was conducted on 12 pigs, divided into 4 groups. Histological changes of the portal vein anastomosis, the native inferior vena cava, and the splenic vein anastomosis were observed. In the control group, the portal vein anastomosis and intact vena cava were treated with electroporation only, and the pigs were euthanized 28 days after surgery. In the experimental groups, the portal vein anastomosis and intact vena cava were treated with ECT, and the pigs were euthanized on days 7, 14, and 28 after surgery. The splenic vein anastomosis was not treated with either electroporation or ECT in any group and served as the control anastomosis. No significant differences were observed between the control group and the ECT-treated groups. Electroporation caused irreversible damage to smooth muscle cells in the tunica media, which could be the result of a narrow zone of irreversible electroporation that may occur near the electrodes, or thrombosis of the vasa vasorum in the tunica externa. Based on the absence of vascular complications and the similar histological changes in the control veins, it can be concluded that ECT of the portal vein anastomosis is a safe and technically feasible method in a model of healthy pigs with perioperative anticoagulation.
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