Aim of the study: To evaluate the radiofrequency assisted liver resection using Habib sealer (RITA Medical System, Inc., Mountain View, CA).
Methods: The operation time, liver transection time, transfusion units used, and postoperative complications were recorded in a prospective way.
Results: 22 liver resections were performed between July 2005 and December 2005, 15 of them were done using radiofrequency technique. Twelve anatomical resections and three non-anatomical resections were performed in total. The mean operation time equalled 155 (120-240) minutes. An average of 0.6 (0-4) transfusion units was used. In 13 of the 15 operations, which represent 86% of the patients, no transfusions were used. Postoperatively, no major bleeding from the resection plane was noted and no biliary fistula was observed.
Conclusions: Radiofrequncy assisted liver resection is a safe technique with the major benefit of minimal perioperative blood lost.