title: Radiofrequency-assisted liver resection with a comb-shaped bipolar device versus clamp crushing: a clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In liver surgery, clamp-crushing (CC) procedure has been shown to be the most efficient system for liver transection. Recently, it has been suggested that radiofrequency-assisted liver resection (RFALR) may be more advantageous, but sufficient evidence has yet to be accumulated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The control group was constituted by 32 patients undergoing CC liver transection. The study group included 13 patients undergoing RFALR with a new fully automated radiofrequency generator supplying a comb-shaped bipolar multielectrode device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RFALR allowed a faster hepatic transection and reduced both surgical time and intraoperative blood loss. RFALR was the only independent prognostic indicator of bleeding during liver transection. No significant liver damage and postoperative complications, particularly biliary leakage and stenosis, were experienced in the RFALR group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with the CC procedure, this bipolar device was shown to be safe and effective in liver resections, allowing a very clean surgical field without increase of postoperative complications.
authors.affiliation: Second University of Naples School of Medicine, F. Magrassi-A. Lanzara Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Surgery, c/o II Policlinico, Edificio 17, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. gennaro.galizia@unina2.it
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galizia
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castellano
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zamboli
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orditura
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Vita
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pignatelli
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lieto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D059035:Perioperative Period; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy