Laparoscopic nonanatomic hepatic resection employing the LigaSure device.
BACKGROUND
Advancements in technology have allowed laparoscopic surgery to expand into advanced procedures such as liver resection; however, the value and safety of laparoscopic liver surgery is still a topic for debate. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic nonanatomic hepatectomy using the LigaSure device in a swine model.


METHODS
Nonanatomic hepatic lobe resection was performed in 3 groups comparing the open finger-fracture method, the open method with the LigaSure device, and the laparoscopic method with the LigaSure device. The cut surfaces of the liver were evaluated for bleeding and biliary leakage at the time of the operation. The animals were inspected 48 hours later for hemorrhage and evaluated with cholescintigraphy (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid [HIDA] scan) for biliary leakage, in addition to histological evaluation of liver specimens.


RESULTS
No hemorrhage or biliary leakage was noted in the groups where the LigaSure device was used, whereas 1 animal from the open finger-fracture method sustained a bile leak observed on HIDA scan. The operative blood loss was considerably less in the groups where the LigaSure device was used, and the shortest operative time was observed in the laparoscopic group.


CONCLUSIONS
The LigaSure device can be safely and effectively used to perform a laparoscopic nonanatomic hepatectomy.
Constant
Douglas L
DL
Department of Surgery, Section of Abdominal Transplantation, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.
Slakey
Douglas P
DP
Campeau
Richard J
RJ
Dunne
J Bruce
JB
D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D013552:Swine