Experience with TissueLink--radiofrequency-assisted parenchymal division

Liver surgery has always been associated with blood loss, and the problem of bleeding, transfusions, and associated morbidity is a significant one. We present our experience using the TissueLink radiofrequency-assisted dissector for parenchymal division during hepatectomy. The TissueLink pre-coagulates liver parenchyma and allows for dissection of intrahepatic structures, allowing for near bloodless hepatectomy. We have demonstrated our results in terms of morbidity, mortality, blood loss and need for transfusion, and find that they are comparable with results from high-volume HPB centres. The TissueLink is an acceptable tool for use in hepatic transection and may result in less blood loss and lower transfusion rates than conventional methods of transection.