title: A prospective study of in-line radiofrequency ablation in hepatic parenchymal transection--its efficacy and complications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bleeding during liver transection remains a potential hazard. This study aims to report the efficacy and complications of in-line radiofrequency ablation (ILRFA)-assisted liver resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The blood loss of 25 consecutive patients who underwent ILRFA-assisted liver resection was obtained by weighing swabs and measuring suction jar contents during liver resection and calculated in ml per cm(2) of the transection surface area. Postoperative complications were recorded. Five clinical variables, which might affect blood loss, were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean blood loss during parenchymal dissection for the ILRFA group was 3.4+/-3.2 ml/cm(2). Three patients had intra-abdominal collections, including one patient with bile leakage after ILRFA-assisted liver resection. Age, gender, extent of liver resection, liver quality and Pringle maneuver did not demonstrate significant impact on blood loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that ILRFA-assisted liver resection was associated with very low blood loss. This is likely to improve the operative safety of liver resection for hepatic tumors. There were no significant postoperative sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of New South Wales, St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Tristan D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Taras
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kusyk
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Aravin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gunasegaram
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morris