Background/aims: Intraoperative blood loss is still a major concern for surgeons operating on the liver since it is associated with a significantly higher rate of postoperative complications and shorter long-term survival. An original radiofrequency (RF)-assisted minimal blood loss technique for transecting liver parenchyma is presented.
Methods: In a prospective study, starting November 2001 and ending December 2005, a total of 90 RF-assisted liver resections were done. Pre-cut coagulative desiccation was produced by the Cool-tip (Valleylab, Tyco) water-cooled, single, RF tumor ablation electrode connected to a 480-kHz 200 W generator (Valleylab Cool-tip RF System). Vascular occlusion techniques and low central venous pressure anesthesia were not used.
Results: Only 14 (15.5%) patients received blood transfusion (mean transfused blood volume 397 ml; mode 310 ml) and 10 of 14 patients received <310 ml of blood. There was no statistical difference between the patients who underwent major and minor liver resection in frequency of blood transfusion. Blood loss was associated with dense adhesions and difficult liver mobilization and not with liver transection.
Conclusion: The 'sequential coagulate-cut' RF-assisted liver resection technique is a safe liver transection technique associated with minimal blood loss and it has facilitated tissue-sparing liver resection.