title: Easier hepatic resections with a straight needle.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A stainless-sheathed, straight needle with a hook near the top of the inner needle was designed to facilitate hepatic resections.
  
  
  METHODS
  First, using this needle, two rows of interlocking mattress sutures were made along the division line; then, hepatic transection was performed between these rows by electrocautery or forceps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since 1997, we have performed this kind of hepatic resections in 43 cases, including 9 right lobectomies, 5 bisegmentectomies, 7 segmentectomies, 4 subsegmentectomies, 2 partial hepatectomies, 15 left lateral segmentectomies, and 1 hepatorrhaphy. In most cases, intraoperative hemorrhage was minimal. Neither specified inflow nor backflow control procedures were needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of this needle may reduce the difficulty of the technique and blood loss for right hepatic lobectomy, left lateral segmentectomy, and some segmental or partial hepatectomy procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng Li Rd., 70428, Tainan, Taiwan. changyc@mail.ncku.edu.tw
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nagasue
authors.forename: X Z
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles; D013537:Sutures