Hepatic resection using a bipolar vessel sealing device: technical and histological analysis

Acute Myocardial Infarction of the Left Main Coronary Artery Presenting with Cardiogenic Shock and Pulmonary Edema during Noncardiac Surgery

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) caused by severe stenosis of left main coronary artery (LMCA) presenting with cardiogenic shock and pulmonary edema during noncardiac surgery is uncommon, but a catastrophic event. A 77-year-old male with cholangiocarcinoma underwent hepatectomy. During the surgery, he presented with cardiogenic shock, which did not respond to infusion administration or vasopressor. A transesophageal echocardiogram revealed anterior, septal, and lateral severe hypokinesia and impaired left ventricular function. Emergent coronary angiogram showed severe stenosis of LMCA. The patient underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) under the support of intra-aortic balloon pump, followed by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The chest roentgenogram showed pulmonary edema. Two days after PCI, he successfully underwent hepatectomy and bile duct resection. Early identification of the cause of hemodynamic instability during noncardiac surgery and invasive strategy are important for minimizing the myocardial injury and improving clinical outcomes in AMI of LMCA.

Evaluation of THUNDERBEAT® in open liver resection- a single-center experience

Background

THUNDERBEAT® (TB) (Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Tokyo, Japan) is a dynamic energy system device that simultaneously delivers ultrasonically generated frictional heat energy and electrically generated bipolar energy. TB is being routinely used in various operative procedures, however, less is known about its utility in liver resection. We, herein, report our early experience of using TB in open liver resection particularly in patients with normal or near-normal liver parenchyma.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics, and evaluated the perioperative outcome of twenty-eight patients who underwent liver resection with TB, and twenty-four patients who underwent liver resection with basic procedure in our institution. The resection type was stratified into: major hepatectomy; resection of 3 or more than 3 Couinauds segments, and minor hepatectomy; resection of less than 3 Couinauds segments.

Results

Liver resection time (mean ± SD) in TB group with major hepatectomy was significantly shorter: 16.7 ± 8.8 compared to 62.8 ± 39.4 min in basic procedure group (P < 0.0001). Accordingly, the liver resection time (mean ± SD) in TB group with minor hepatectomy was also significantly shorter, 8.3 ± 2.9 min compared to 45.2 ± 23.9 min in liver resection with basic procedure (P < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of intraoperative blood transfusion ratio, postoperative complication and postoperative liver dysfunction.

Conclusion

TB as a new energy device can offer a safe, reliable and substantially rapid liver resection particularly in patients with normal or near-normal liver parenchyma.

A systematic review on radiofrequency assisted laparoscopic liver resection: Challenges and window to excel

Laparoscopic liver resection has progressively gained acceptance as a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of benign and malignant liver neoplasms. However, blood loss remains the major challenge in liver surgery. Several techniques and devices have been introduced in liver surgery in order to minimize intraoperative haemorrhage during parenchymal transection. Radiofrequency (RF)-assisted liver resection has been shown to be an effective method to minimize bleeding in open and laparoscopic liver resection. A number of RF devices for parenchymal transection have been designed to assist laparoscopic liver resections. Here we have reviewed the results of various RF devices in laparoscopic liver resection. A total 15 article were considered relevant for the evaluation of technical aspects and outcomes of RF-assisted liver resections in laparoscopic procedures. In these studies, 176 patients had laparoscopic liver resection using RF-assisted parenchymal coagulation. Two monopolar and three bipolar devices were employed. Blood loss was limited in most of the studies. The need of blood transfusions was limited to two cases in all the series. Conversion was necessary due to bleeding in 3 cases. Operative and transection times varied between studies. However, RF-assisted resection with bipolar devices appeared to have taken less time in comparison to other RF devices. RF-related complications were minimum, and only one case of in-hospital death due to hepatic failure was reported. Although RF has been used in a small minority of laparoscopic liver resections, laparoscopic RF-assisted liver resection for benign and malignant disease is a safe and feasible procedure associated with reduction in blood loss, low morbidity, and lower hospital mortality rates.

Randomized clinical trial comparing two vessel-sealing devices with crush clamping during liver transection

Background

Previous RCTs have failed to demonstrate the usefulness of combining energy devices with the conventional clamp crushing method to reduce blood loss during liver transection. Here, the combination of an ultrasonically activated device (UAD) and a bipolar vessel-sealing device (BVSD) with crush clamping was investigated.

Methods

Patients scheduled to undergo hepatectomy at the University of Tokyo Hospital or Nihon University Itabashi Hospital were eligible for this parallel-group, single-blinded randomized study. Patients were assigned to a control group (no energy device used), an UAD group or a BVSD group. The primary endpoint was the volume of blood loss during liver transection. Outcomes of the control group and the combined energy device groups (UAD plus BVSD) were first compared. Pairwise comparisons among the three groups were made for outcomes for which the combined energy device group was superior to the control group.

Results

A total of 380 patients were enrolled between July 2012 and May 2014; 116 patients in the control group, 122 in the UAD group and 123 in the BVSD group were included in the final analysis. Median blood loss during liver transection was lower in the combined energy device group (245 patients) than in the control group (116 patients): median 190 (range 0–3575) versus 230 (range 3–1570) ml (P = 0·048). Pairwise comparison revealed that blood loss was lower in the BVSD group than in the control group (P = 0·043).

Conclusion

The use of energy devices combined with crush clamping reduced blood loss during liver transection. Registration number: C000008372 (www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm).

Impact of energy devices during liver parenchymal transection: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the benefit of energy devices such as ultrasonically activated device and bipolar vessel sealing device in liver surgeries.

BACKGROUND

Several studies have suggested the benefit of energy devices in liver transection, while a randomized trial has found no association between their use and surgical outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients scheduled to undergo open liver resection were eligible for this multicenter non-blinded randomized study. They were randomized to receive an energy device (experimental group) or not (control group) during liver transection. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with intraoperative blood loss >1,000 mL. The primary aim was to show non-inferiority of hepatectomy with energy device to that without energy device.

RESULTS

A total of 212 patients were randomized and 211 (105 and 106 in the respective groups) were analyzed. Intraoperative blood loss >1,000 mL occurred in 15.0% patients with energy device and 20.2% patients without energy device. The experimental minus control group difference was -5.2% (95% confidence interval -13.8 to 3.3%; non-inferiority test, p = 0.0248). Hepatectomy with energy device resulted in a shorter median liver transection time (63 vs. 84 min; p < 0.001) and a lower rate of postoperative bile leakage (4 vs. 16%; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The hypothesis that hepatectomy with energy device is not inferior to that without energy device in terms of blood loss has been demonstrated. The use of energy devices during liver surgery is clinically meaningful as it shortens the liver transection time and reduces the incidence of postoperative bile leakage.

Efficacy of a half-grip technique using a fine tip LigaSure™, Dolphin Tip Sealer/Divider, on liver dissection in swine model

BACKGROUND

Recently, a lot of energy devices in the surgical field, especially in the liver surgery, have been developed, and a fine tip LigaSure™, Dolphin Tip Sealer/Divider (DT-SD) also has been used frequently to dissect liver parenchyma as well as ultrasonically activated device (USAD). However, the utility of this instrument for liver dissection (LD) is still unknown. Moreover, to reduce bleeding during LD, a half-grip technique (HGT) was contrived. We herein report an experimental study in swine model to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of HGT using DT-SD for LD.

METHODS

The swine model experiment was carried out under general anesthesia by veterinarians. LD was performed repeatedly by DT-SD with the HGT (Group A, n = 6), or the conventional clamp-crush technique (CCT) (Group B, n = 6), and by variable mode USAD (Group C, n = 6). The dissection length and depth (cm) as well as bleeding volume (g) were measured carefully, and the dissection area (cm(2)) and speed (cm(2)/min) were calculated precisely. Histological examinations of the dissection surfaces were also executed. Mann-Whitney's U test was used for Statistical analyses with variance at a significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS

Among the three groups, the three averages of dissection lengths were unexpectedly equalized to 8.3 cm. The dissection area (cm(2)) was 9.9 ± 5.1 in Group A, 9.8 ± 4.7 in Group B, and 9.9 ± 4.5 in Group C. The mean blood loss during LD was 10.6 ± 14.8 g in Group A, 41.4 ± 39.2 g in Group B, and 34.3 ± 39.2 g in Group C. For Group A, the bleeding rate was the least, 0.9 ± 1.0 g/cm(2), and the average depth of coagulation was the thickest, 1.47 ± 0.29 mm, among the three groups (p < 0.05). The dissection speed in Group A (1.3 ± 0.3 cm(2)/min) was slower, than that in Group C (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This report indicates firstly that the HGT using DT-SD bring the least blood loss when compared with CCT or USAD. Although the HGT is feasible and useful for LD, to popularize the HGT, further clinical studies will be needed.

Predictive factors for post-operative drainage after partial superficial parotidectomy: a case-control study

Objectives:

This study aimed to identify the pattern of post-operative drainage following partial superficial parotidectomy with and without the use of a bipolar vessel-sealing device.

Methods:

Of the 49 patients undergoing parotidectomies, a bipolar vessel-sealing device was used for 20. Predictive factors included in the analysis were age, sex, body weight, operating time, tumour pathology, and diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking status.

Results:

In multivariate analyses, body weight (p = 0.026) and non-use of a bipolar vessel-sealing device (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with increased post-operative drainage after 24 hours. There was also a trend towards increased drainage in diabetic patients. Operating times were significantly shorter in the bipolar vessel-sealing device group.

Conclusion:

Although 24-hour drainage appears adequate for most patients, in obese and diabetic individuals there is a risk of requiring increased drainage. Therefore, the drain should be left in place for a longer period. The bipolar vessel-sealing device is safe and time-efficient, and decreases the post-operative drainage period.

Modified hepatic vascular occlusion facilitates hepatectomy for malignant hepatic tumor in laparoscopy

PURPOSE

The parenchymal transection and bleeding are important problems in laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH). The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of LH for a malignant hepatic tumor (MHT) with hepatic vascular occlusion (HVO) only using a monopolar electrocautery.

METHODS

A total of 31 patients' profiles, operative data, clinical outcomes, pathologic findings, and follow-up information were collected who underwent LH with HVO.

RESULTS

The median operative time was 176 minutes and the median postoperative hospital stay was 9 days. The median estimated blood loss was 310 mL. The median tumor size was 4.6 cm and the median surgical margin was 12 mm.The ischemia injury to the liver in patients subjected to selective HVO was less than that in patients subjected to the Pringle maneuver.

CONCLUSIONS

HVO facilitates LH in transecting liver parenchyma and reduces bleeding, making LH safe and feasible only using monopolar electrocautery in selected patients with malignancies. Moreover, the selective HVO have more advantages over the Pringle maneuver in decreasing ischemic injury.

Opportunistic use of a Foley catheter to provide a common electrocautery with a water-irrigating channel for hepatic parenchymal transection

High-tech surgical energy devices that are used during a single surgery have increased in number and the expense for such disposable units is by no means negligible. We developed a handmade water-irrigating monopolar electrocautery using a Foley catheter to perform liver parenchymal transection. A commonly used 20-24 Fr Foley catheter was cut at a length of about 8 cm. The shaft of the 5 mm ball electrode measuring 13.5 cm in length was then inlaid into the urine drainage channel. The target tissues were cauterized without making an eschar, thereby preventing the adhesion of the electrode to the tissues. A ball electrode with our handmade water irrigation sheath can be made in only a few minutes at a very low cost, using common medical supplies and yielding satisfactory effects comparable to the use of specialized high-tech devices.

Impact of energy devices during liver parenchymal transection: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the benefit of energy devices such as ultrasonically activated device and bipolar vessel sealing device in liver surgeries.

BACKGROUND

Several studies have suggested the benefit of energy devices in liver transection, while a randomized trial has found no association between their use and surgical outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients scheduled to undergo open liver resection were eligible for this multicenter non-blinded randomized study. They were randomized to receive an energy device (experimental group) or not (control group) during liver transection. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with intraoperative blood loss >1,000 mL. The primary aim was to show non-inferiority of hepatectomy with energy device to that without energy device.

RESULTS

A total of 212 patients were randomized and 211 (105 and 106 in the respective groups) were analyzed. Intraoperative blood loss >1,000 mL occurred in 15.0% patients with energy device and 20.2% patients without energy device. The experimental minus control group difference was -5.2% (95% confidence interval -13.8 to 3.3%; non-inferiority test, p = 0.0248). Hepatectomy with energy device resulted in a shorter median liver transection time (63 vs. 84 min; p < 0.001) and a lower rate of postoperative bile leakage (4 vs. 16%; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The hypothesis that hepatectomy with energy device is not inferior to that without energy device in terms of blood loss has been demonstrated. The use of energy devices during liver surgery is clinically meaningful as it shortens the liver transection time and reduces the incidence of postoperative bile leakage.

Complications following hepatectomy

As the number of liver resections in the United States has increased, operations are more commonly performed on older patients with multiple comorbidities. The advent of effective chemotherapy and techniques such as portal vein embolization, have compounded the number of increasingly complex resections taking up to 75% of healthy livers. Four potentially devastating complications of liver resection include postoperative hemorrhage, venous thromboembolism, bile leak, and post-hepatectomy liver failure. The risk factors and management of these complications are herein explored, stressing the importance of identifying preoperative factors that can decrease the risk for these potentially fatal complications.

Radiofrequency vessel-sealing system versus the clamp-crushing technique in liver transection: results of a prospective randomized study on 100 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

Liver transection is considered a critical factor influencing intra-operative blood loss. A increase in the number of complex liver resections has determined a growing interest in new devices able to 'optimize' the liver transection. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to compare a radiofrequency vessel-sealing system with the 'gold-standard' clamp-crushing technique.

METHODS

From January to December 2012, 100 consecutive patients undergoing a liver resection were randomized to the radiofrequency vessel-sealing system (LF1212 group; N = 50) or to the clamp-crushing technique (Kelly group, N = 50).

RESULTS

Background characteristics of the two groups were similar. There were not significant differences between the two groups in terms of blood loss, transection time and transection speed. In spite of a not-significant larger transection area in the LF1212 group compared with the Kelly group (51.5 versus 39 cm(2) , P = 0.116), the overall and 'per cm(2) ' blood losses were similar whereas the transection speed was better (even if not significantly) in the LF1212 group compared with the Kelly group (1.1 cm(2) /min versus 0.8, P = 0.089). Mortality, morbidity and bile leak rates were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The radiofrequency vessel-sealing system allows a quick and safe liver transection similar to the gold-standard clamp-crushing technique.

Technology-Assisted Versus Clamp-Crush Liver Resection

Objective. To review the published evidence on technology-assisted liver resection regarding operative time, intraoperative bleeding, mortality, hospital stay, postoperative bile leak, and other outcomes. Method. A systematic review of clinical studies comparing liver resection using vessel sealing systems (VSSs—LigaSure), Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA), or radiofrequency dissecting sealer (RFDS) with the conventional clamp-crushing technique (CC) was performed. Data for each modality were synthesized and individually compared with CC with the methodology of meta-analysis. Result. In all, 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 7 nonrandomized studies evaluating 1539 patients were included. Compared with CC, the VSS group (3 RCTs and 3 nonrandomized studies) had significantly lower blood loss by a mean of 109 mL (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −109; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −192, −26; data on 494 patients), lower risk for postoperative bile leak by 63% (odds ratio [OR] = 0.37; CI = 0.17, 0.78; 559 patients), and shorter total hospital stay by 2 days (WMD = −2.04; CI = −3.08, −1; 340 patients); no difference was noted for liver parenchyma transection time and mortality. No difference was noted between CUSA (4 RCTs and 1 nonrandomized study) or RFDS (3 RCTs and 3 nonrandomized studies) versus CC for any of the studied outcomes. Conclusion. Of the 3 modalities used in liver resection (VSS, CUSA, and RFDS), only VSS appeared to offer significant benefit over standard CC. However, the generalization of our findings is limited by the scarcity and clinical heterogeneity of the published studies. Large, well-designed and implemented RCTs are warranted to further investigate the usefulness of novel modalities used in liver resection.

Does the placement of a cystic duct tube after a hepatic resection help reduce the incidence of post-operative bile leak?

BACKGROUND

In this retrospective study, the effects of cystic duct (C) tube use on the incidence of post-hepatectomy bile leak were assessed.

METHODS

The subjects were 550 patients who underwent a hepatectomy during 1990-2011, with (n = 83) and without (n = 467) C tube drainage. The use of a C tube was based on the surgeon's choice.

RESULTS

Bile leakage was observed in 44 (8%) patients, and its incidence post-operatively correlated with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, parenchymal transection with forceps fracture and tie, a major hepatectomy, prolonged surgery and excessive blood loss (P < 0.050) but not with the use of a C tube. The incidence of an intra-abdominal infection was higher and the hospital stay was longer in the leak (49 days) than non-leak group (21 days, P < 0.001). ISGLS grade B and C bile leak post-hemi-hepatectomy and extended-hepatectomy were more frequent in the non-C than C tube group (P = 0.016). The duration of hospitalization was not different between the two groups; however, 7 patients in the non-C tube group had prolonged hospitalization (> 60 days) compared with none in the C tube group (P = 0.454).

CONCLUSION

The usefulness of the C tube in preventing post-hepatectomy bile leak could not be confirmed; however, both bile leak requiring clinical management and long hospitalization after a major hepatectomy could be reduced with C tube use.

Comparison of two different transection techniques in liver surgery-an experimental study in a porcine model

AIMS

Postoperative morbidity and mortality after liver resection is closely related to the degree of intraoperative blood loss; the majority of which occurs during transection of the liver parenchyma. Many approaches and devices have therefore been developed to limit bleeding, but none has yet achieved perfect results up to now. The aim of this standardized chronic animal study was to compare the safety and efficacy of the LigaSure™ Vessel Sealing System (LVSS) with the stapler technique, which is one of the modern techniques for transecting the parenchyma in liver surgery.

METHODS

Sixteen pigs underwent a left liver resection (LLR). Eight pigs received a LLR by means of an Endo GIA, whereas the other eight pigs underwent liver parenchymal transection followed by simultaneous sealing by the LVSS. The operating time, transection time, blood loss during transection, and time of hemostasis were measured on the day of LLR (postoperative day 0/POD 0). Animals were re-explored on postoperative day 7 (POD 7) and the transection surface of remnant liver was observed for fluid collection (hematoma, biloma, and abscess), necrosis, and other pathologies. A biopsy was taken from the area of transection for histopathological examination.

RESULTS

All animals survived until POD 7. Operating time and transection time of the liver parenchyma on POD 0 was significantly shorter in the stapler group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of blood loss during transection, time of hemostasis and number of sutures for hemostasis on POD 0, morbidity rate, as well as the histopathological examination on POD 7. Furthermore, the material costs were significantly higher in the stapler group than in the LVSS group.

CONCLUSION

In this standardized chronic animal study concerning transection of the parenchyma in liver surgery, LVSS seems not only to be safe, but also comparable with the stapler technique in terms of morbidity and mortality. Additionally, LVSS significantly reduces material costs. However, the transection time is significantly longer for LVSS than for the stapler resection technique.

Microwave energy as a precoagulative device to assist in hepatic resection

INTRODUCTION

Microwave energy is another energy source than can be used to precoagulate hepatic tissue during hepatic resection. The aim of this study was to develop an optimal microwave precoagulation technique in a porcine model and then validate the technique during hepatic resection in patients.

METHODS

Institutional Animal Care and Use and Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved protocols were utilized for hepatic resection in a porcine model and validation in patients using microwave energy for precoagulation. Different numbers of antennas (one, two or three; spaced 5 mm apart) and ablation times (20, 30, 40, and 60 s) were evaluated to identify an optimal technique that effectively provided precoagulation.

RESULTS

Animal studies: Two antennas for 30 s provided the optimal ablation time, ablation width, mean size of largest vessel coagulated, and minimal bleeding when compared with other techniques. However, given that this is not an optimal technique for laparoscopic precoagulation, one antenna for 60 s was found to provide similar precoagulation success. Patient validation: To validate these techniques, three patients underwent open hepatectomy using two antennas with 5 mm spacing for 30 s, demonstrating successful precoagulation up to inflow/outflow vessels of 10 mm size or greater, which were controlled with a vascular stapler. In addition three patients underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy using one antenna for 60 s and demonstrated successful precoagulation up to inflow/outflow vessels of 8 mm or greater, which were controlled with a vascular stapler.

CONCLUSION

Microwave energy is a safe and effective precoagulation device to achieve good hemostasis during hepatic resection with both open and laparoscopic technique.

The vessel sealing system (LigaSure) in hepatic resection: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this trial was to verify the new surgical device (the LigaSure vessels sealing system) decrease liver transection time.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Among the major goals in hepatic resection are minimization of the operation time and of the blood loss. Preliminary reports have suggested that the vessel sealing system might decrease the liver transection time, which is directly associated with the amount of blood loss.

METHODS

Patients who were scheduled to undergo hepatic resection at the Tokyo University Hospital were assigned, by the minimization method, to either use of the new vessel sealing system (VS group) or the conventional clamp crushing method (CC group) for liver transection. The primary end point was the liver transection time, and the secondary endpoints were the amount of blood loss during the entire operation and during liver transection, length of hospital stay, postoperative liver function, and the incidence of various adverse events. An English-language summary of the protocol was submitted (registration ID: C000000337) to the Clinical Trials Registry managed by the University Hospital Medical Information Network in Japan, which can be accessed commission-free on the internet (Available at: http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm).

RESULTS

From February to December in 2006, a total of 165 patients underwent liver resection for some benign or malignant disease of the liver. Among these patients, 120 were randomly assigned to the CC (n = 60) or the VS (n = 60) group. There was no mortality in either of the 2 groups. The median liver transection time in the VS group was 57 minutes (range: 11-127), similar to that in the CC group (56 [range: 9-269] min, P = 0.64), while there was no difference in the transection speed between the 2 groups (1.16 [0.15-2.26] cm/min vs. 1.10 [0.15-2.66] cm/min, P = 0.95). The amount of blood loss and blood loss per transection area during liver transaction in the VS group was also similar to that in the CC group (median: 315 [25-2415] mL vs. 315 [10-1700] mL; P = 0.80) and (5.04 [1.01-44.2] mL/cm vs. 4.36 [0.15-50.5] mL/cm; P = 0.14), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This randomized controlled trial showed that while the vessel sealing system was safe, its use was not associated with any significant decrease of the operation time or blood loss during liver transaction as compared with that of the clamp crushing method.

Utility of the Gyrus open forceps in hepatic parenchymal transection

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate if the Gyrus open forceps is a safe and efficient tool for hepatic parenchymal transection.

BACKGROUND

Blood loss during hepatic transection remains a significant risk factor for morbidity and mortality associated with liver surgery. Various electrosurgical devices have been engineered to reduce blood loss. The Gyrus open forceps is a bipolar cautery device which has recently been introduced into hepatic surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a single-institution, retrospective review of all liver resections performed from November 2005 through November 2007. Patients undergoing resection of at least two liver segments where the Gyrus was the primary method of transection were included. Patient charts were reviewed; clinicopathological data were collected.

RESULTS

Of the 215 open liver resections performed during the study period, 47 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean patient age was 61 years; 34% were female. The majority required resection for malignant disease (94%); frequent indications included colorectal metastasis (66%), hepatocellular carcinoma (6%) and cholangiocarcinoma (4%). Right hemihepatectomy (49%), left hemihepatectomy (13%) and right trisectionectomy (13%) were the most frequently performed procedures. A total of 26 patients (55%) underwent a major ancillary procedure concurrently. There were no operative mortalities. Median operative time was 220 min (range 97-398 min). Inflow occlusion was required in nine patients (19%) for a median time of 12 min (range 3-30 min). Median total estimated blood loss was 400 ml (range 10-2000 ml) and 10 patients (21%) required perioperative transfusion. All patients had macroscopically negative margins. Median length of stay was 8 days. Two patients (4%) had clinically significant bile leak. The 30-day postoperative mortality was zero.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of the Gyrus open forceps appears to be a safe and efficient manner of hepatic parenchymal transection which allows rapid transection with acceptable blood loss, a low rate of perioperative transfusion, and minimal postoperative bile leak.

Laparoscopic liver resection using a bipolar vessel-sealing device: LigaSure

Achieving safe outcomes when performing laparoscopic liver surgery requires that the surgical team be expert in the techniques of liver surgery and in the application of appropriate technologies and devices. No other device is capable of effectively providing hemostasis, control of bile duct branches, and dividing parenchyma in every circumstance encountered during major hepatic resections. Therefore, liver surgeons use a variety of surgical technologies and instruments based on their judgment and experience and the individual nature of the operative procedure. Vessel-sealing technology has established itself as useful in liver surgery, for both open and laparoscopic cases. This paper reviews experience with a bipolar, vessel-sealing device (LigaSure, ValleyLab, Inc., Boulder, Colorado) and its application to laparoscopic liver surgery.