Radiofrequency-assisted liver resection: Technique and results

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques
• Oncology

Background:

• Radiofrequency (RF)-assisted liver resection enables non-anatomical resection with decreased blood loss and combined resection-ablation.
• Concerns persist regarding postoperative complications associated with RF-assisted liver resection.
• This study evaluates technical aspects and perioperative complications of RF-assisted liver resections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the rate of perioperative complications following RF-assisted liver resection.
• To focus on post-hepatectomy liver failure (PLF), bile leak, abscess formation, and mortality.
• To assess the safety and feasibility of RF-assisted liver resection.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 857 consecutive open and laparoscopic elective RF-assisted liver resections.
• Data collected between 2001 and 2015.
• Assessment of perioperative outcomes including blood loss, transfusions, complications, and mortality.

Main Results:

• Median intraoperative blood loss was 130 mL; 9.8% of patients required transfusion.
• Intra-abdominal collections occurred in 8.7%, bile leak in 2.8%, and post-hepatectomy liver failure (PLF) in 1.5%.
• One directly related mortality (0.1%) was recorded.

Conclusions:

• RF-assisted liver resection is a feasible and safe liver resection technique.
• The incidence of perioperative morbidity is acceptable.
• The technique demonstrates a low incidence of PLF and related mortality.