The Evaluation of the 1318 nm Diode Laser in Open Liver Surgery

(1) Background: Numerous dissection instruments are available for liver resection. So far, there has been no evidence in favor of a specific dissection device effecting a reduction in postoperative mortality and morbidity or a reduction in intraoperative blood loss. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of liver resection with the 1318 nm surgical laser. (2) Methods: 151 consecutive patients who underwent liver resection using the 1318 nm surgical laser (n = 119) or conventional dissection methods (n = 32) were evaluated retrospectively. As primary outcome, postoperative complications were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Secondary outcomes were postoperative mortality, reoperations and reinterventions, intraoperative blood loss, the need for vascular control using the Pringle maneuver and oncological safety assessed through histopathological evaluation of resection margins. (3) Results: For liver resections using the 1318 nm surgical laser, the postoperative morbidity (41.2% vs. 59.4%, p = 0.066), mortality (1.7% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.513) and the reoperation rate (2.5% vs. 3.1%, p = 1.000) were not significantly different from conventional liver resections. In the laser group, a lower reintervention rate (9.2% vs. 21.9%, p = 0.050) was observed. The oncological safety demonstrated by a tumor-free resection margin was similar after laser and conventional resection (93.2% vs. 89.3%, p = 0.256). The median intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the laser group (300 mL vs. 500 mL, p = 0.005) and there was a significantly lower need for a Pringle maneuver (3.4% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.021). (4) Conclusions: Liver resections using the 1318 nm surgical laser can be routinely performed with a favorable risk profile. Compared to alternative resection methods, they are associated with low blood loss, appear adequate from an oncological point of view, and are not associated with increased mortality and morbidity.