Laparoscopic liver resection assisted with radiofrequency.

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency-assisted laparoscopic liver resection is reported. METHODS Patients suitable for liver resection were carefully assessed for laparoscopic resection. Patient and intraoperative and postoperative data were prospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS Eighteen patients underwent laparoscopic liver resection. All operations were performed without vascular clamping and consisting of tumorectomy (n = 9), multiple tumoretcomies (n = 2), segmentectomy (n = 2), and bisegmentectomies (n = 2). Mean blood loss was 121 +/- 68 mL, and mean resection was time 167 +/- 45 minutes. There was no need for perioperative or postoperative transfusion of blood or blood products. One patient developed pneumothorax during surgery as a result of direct puncture of pleura with the radiofrequency probe, and 1 patient had transient liver failure and required supportive care after surgery. The mean length of hospital stay was 6.0 +/-1.5 days. At follow-up, those with liver cancer had no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Radiofrequency-assist laparoscopic liver resection can decrease the risk of intraoperative bleeding and blood transfusion.