Irreversible electroporation of the uterine cervix in a rabbit model

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of irreversible electroporation (IRE) on the uterine cervix in a rabbit model. IRE ablation was performed in the cervices of 48 New Zealand rabbits, with one ablation lesion in each animal. Gross pathology, transmission electron microscopy, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson’s trichrome (MT) stain, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were performed at pre-set time points (0 h, 12 h, 1 d, 2 d, 4 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d post-IRE). All the rabbits tolerated the IRE ablation without serious complications. IRE caused complete cell death of the ablated cervix via cell apoptosis. However, fast recovery of the cervix was observed from 7 d post-IRE, with the signs of collagen fibers hyperplasia, the disappearance of the necrotic cells and muscle fibers, and regeneration and extension of the cervical epithelium. At 28 d post-IRE, the ablated cervices recovered to almost normal. Our study suggested that IRE might be an efficient and safe technology to treat cervical tumors, without causing serious cervical damage.