Bloodless hepatectomy technique.
BACKGROUND
Surgical resection remains the gold standard in dealing with liver tumours. Blood loss, biliary leak and postoperative liver function are still the main concerns of surgeons operating on the liver, even though different techniques have been developed to allow safer liver resection. A novel concept for liver resection is described using a radiofrequency energy (RF) assisted technique.


METHODS
A patient with a large colorectal liver metastasis located in segments VI, VII, VIII underwent a right hepatectomy using this technique. At laparotomy the tumour was staged with intraoperative ultrasonography, and a 'cooled tipped' radiofrequency probe was used to achieve a 'zone of desiccation' in the liver parenchyma 2 cm away from the edge of the tumour. Liver parenchyma was subsequently divided with a surgical scalpel.


RESULTS
The resection time was 80 min with a blood loss of 30 ml. The patient was discharged on the ninth postoperative day without complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver resection assisted by RF energy is feasible and safe. This technique could offer a new method for 'transfusion-free' resection without the need for sutures, ties, staples, tissue glue or admission to the intensive care unit.
Navarra
G
G
Department of Surgical Oncology and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, WI2 ONN UK.
Spalding
D
D
Zacharoulis
D
D
Nicholls
J P
JP
Kirby
S
S
Costa
I
I
Habib
N A
NA