[New liver surgery techniques. Few complications and more advantages?]

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary surgery
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques
• Radiofrequency ablation

Context:

• Hepatic resections for colorectal liver metastases often involve significant blood loss during liver transection.
• Minimizing intraoperative blood loss and the need for blood transfusions is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Radiofrequency-based dissecting devices represent an emerging technology for liver surgery.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency-based dissecting devices in hepatic resections.
• To compare the outcomes of using TissueLink and Habib Sealer devices for liver transection.
• To assess the potential of these devices in improving patient eligibility for curative liver surgery.

Summary:

• A retrospective analysis of 22 patients undergoing hepatic resections for colorectal liver metastases was conducted.
• Two radiofrequency devices, TissueLink and Habib Sealer, were used for liver transection.
• The Habib Sealer was associated with no blood transfusions, while the TissueLink required transfusions in four patients. Mortality was zero, and morbidity was low.

Impact:

• Radiofrequency dissecting devices can be safely employed for liver transection in hepatic resections.
• The use of these devices may reduce the need for blood transfusions, improving surgical safety.
• This technology could potentially increase the number of patients eligible for curative liver surgery.