New liver surgery techniques. Few complications and more advantages

INTRODUCTION: Most blood loss in hepatic resections occurs during transection of the liver. To reduce this blood loss and avoid blood transfusions, initial experience with radiofrequency based dissecting devices are presented. Curative liver surgery requires combinations of classical resections and tumorablations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 22 patients who underwent various hepatic resections for colorectal liver metastases. Two commercially available devices were used for transection, either the TissueLink or the Habib Sealer. RESULTS: Mortality was zero and morbidity low. No blood transfusions were needed following the use of the Habib Sealer, whereas four patients received blood after TissueLink. 27% of the patients needed a combination of resection and tumorablation. CONCLUSION: Liver surgery and transection of the liver can be performed safely with radiofrequency based dissecting devices. Theoretical advantage could be more candidates to curative surgery.