Radiofrequency ablation-assisted liver resection: review of the literature and our experience.
BACKGROUND
Surgical resection is the best established treatment known to provide long-term survival and possibility of cure for liver malignancy. Intraoperative blood loss has been the major concern during major liver resections, and mortality and morbidity of surgery are clearly associated with the amount of blood loss. Different techniques have been developed to minimize intraoperative blood loss during liver resection. The radiofrequency ablation (RFA) technique has been used widely in the treatment of unresectable liver tumors. This review concentrates on the use of RFA to provide an avascular liver resection plane.


RESULTS
The following review is based on two types of RFA device during liver resection: single needle probe RFA and the In-Line RFA device.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver resection assisted by RFA is safe and is associated with very limited blood loss.
Yao
Peng
P
University of New South Wales, Department of Surgery, St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Morris
David L
DL