Hepatic resection using a bipolar vessel sealing device: technical and histological analysis

Blood loss and bile leakage are well-known risk factors for morbidity and mortality during liver resection. Bleeding usually occurs during parenchymal transection, and surgical technique should be considered an important factor in preventing intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Many approaches and devices have been developed to limit bleeding and bile leakage. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a bipolar vessel sealing device allows a safe and careful liver transection without routine inflow occlusion, achieving a satisfactory hemostasis and bile stasis, thus reducing blood loss and bile leak and related complications.

A total of 50 consecutive patients (24 males, 26 females, with a mean age of 57 years) underwent major and minor hepatic resections using a bipolar vessel sealing device. A clamp crushing technique followed by energy application was used to perform the parenchymal transection. Inflow occlusion was used when necessary to control blood loss but not as a routine. No other devices were applied to achieve hemostasis.

The instrument was effective in 45 patients and failed to achieve hemostasis in 5 cases, all of whom had a cirrhotic liver. Median blood loss was 490 ml (range 100-2500 ml) and intraoperative blood transfusions were required in eight cases (16%). Mean operative time was 178 min (range 50-315 min). Inflow occlusion was necessary in 16 (32%) patients. The postoperative complication rate was 24%, with a postoperative hemorrhage in a cirrhotic patient. There was no clinical evidence of bile leak or procedure-related abdominal abscess.

We conclude that the device is a useful tool in standard liver resection, achieving good hemostasis and bile stasis in patients with normal liver parenchyma, but its use should be avoided in cirrhotic patients.