A prospective evaluation of ultrasound-directed transparenchymal vascular control with linear cutting staplers in major hepatic resections.
BACKGROUND
We prospectively evaluated a novel ultrasound-directed technique of major hepatic resection using transparenchymal application of vascular staplers intending to minimize blood loss, operative time, and hepatic warm ischemia time.


METHODS
Beginning in 1998 many major hepatic resections for hepatic tumors were performed with ultrasound-directed transparenchymal application of vascular linear cutting staplers. An endoscopic flexible neck vascular linear cutting stapler was used for control of the hepatic veins.


RESULTS
From December 1998 to April 2003, 346 patients undergoing hepatic resection using this technique were identified from a prospective hepatobiliary tumor surgery database. Records were reviewed for blood loss, transfusion requirement, inflow occlusion (Pringle maneuver) time, overall operative time, and perioperative and postoperative complications. The average blood loss for all patients was 396 +/- 28.4 mL. The inflow occlusion time was 13.7 +/- .64 minutes with a total operative time of 140.7 +/- 3.7 minutes. Additional liver-related procedures were performed in 52% of the patients. The overall complication rate was 29.5% with a 90-day mortality rate of 1.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound-directed transparenchymal application of vascular staplers to control inflow and outflow during major liver resection minimizes blood loss, warm ischemia time, and operative time compared to published reports of patients undergoing resection using other techniques.
Department of Surgical Oncology, 1400 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 444, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
David L
DL
Smith
James F
JF
Arens
Carlton C
CC
Barnett
Francesco
F
Izzo
Steven A
SA
Curley
D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional