[Our experience with radiofrequency--assisted liver resections for hepatic tumors]

A technique for liver resection, utilising radiofrequency-induced coagulation necrosis is considered the latest trend in liver surgery. The authors present their clinical experience with this promising liver resection technique.

From January 2006 to September 2007, a total of 24 patients underwent radiofrequency-assisted liver resections in the Ostrava FN (Faculty Hospital) Surgical clinic. Liver malignancies (primary or secondary) were resected using open surgery or laparoscopy. The data were analyzed to assess the new technique's outcomes, including intraoperative blood loss, transfusion requirement, morbidity and mortality rates. All the patients were followed up prospectively in regular intervals to assess treatment effectivity, complication rate and the disease relaps rate.

Radiofrequency-assisted liver resection was utilised to resect a total of 38 tumors in 24 patients. The mean tumor size was 38 cm. The authors performed 5 major liver resections (> 2 segments) and 19 minor liver resections (nonanatomical resections, segmentectomies). The mean total operation time was 190 minutes, the mean liver resection time was 65 minutes. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 384 ml, however, in the last 10 subjects it was only 70 ml. Four subjects (16.7%) received blood transfusions during the perioperative period, in particlar those, who underwent major resections. In four patients (16.7%), postoperative complications were recorded, however, without lethal outcomes. The mean duration of hospitalization was 11.7 days. Based on the histological examination of the resecates, R0 resections were performed in 91.7% of patients.

Radiofrequency-assisted liver resection is a safe, well- tolerated and effective liver resection technique. It is associated with minor blood loss, it results in reduced morbidity and mortality rates and may be used in both minor or major liver resections.