Comparing the efficacy and safety of cryoablation and microwave ablation in treating paravertebral metastases of rabbit VX2 tumor

We sought to assess and compare the effectiveness and safety of cryoablation (CA) and microwave ablation (MWA) in treating paravertebral metastases of VX2 in rabbits. A rabbit VX2 paravertebral metastases model was established under computed tomography (CT) guidance, with a modeling success rate of 88.23% (60/68). Sixty successfully modeled rabbits were randomly allocated into the MWA group (n = 30) and CA group (n = 30). A comparative analysis between the CA and MWA groups included assessments of the complete ablation rate, operation time, post-ablation pain, and complication rate. The complete ablation rate in the CA group (86.67%) was higher than that in the MWA group (63.33%) (P < 0.05), and the operation time in the CA group was notably longer than that in the MWA group (P < 0.05). The BRPS ( Bristol Rabbit Pain Scale)scores in both groups decreased at 5 time points after treatment, the post-treatment points scores in the CA group were lower than those in the MWA group (P < 0.001). At a follow-up of 21 days postoperatively, the complication rate in the CA group (10.00%) was significantly lower than that in the MWA group (33.33%) (P < 0.05), with 6 rabbits in the MWA group experiencing severe complications. Compared to MWA, CA for paravertebral metastases demonstrates higher efficacy and safety.