A Saline/Bipolar Radiofrequency Energy Device As an Adjunct for Hemostasis in Solid Organ Injury/Trauma

Abstract

Solid organ (liver, spleen, and kidney) hemorrhage is often life-threatening and can be difficult to stop in critically ill patients. Traditional techniques for arresting this ongoing bleeding include coagulation by high voltage electrocautery, topical hemostatic application, and the delivery of ignited argon gas. The goal of this study/video was to demonstrate the efficacy of a new energy device for arresting persistent solid organ hemorrhage.A novel instrument utilizing bipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy which acts to ignite/boil dripping saline from a simple handpiece is employed to arrest ongoing bleeding from solid organ injuries in a porcine model. This instrument is extrapolated from experience within elective hepatic resections. An escalating series of injuries to solid organs within a porcine model will be created. This will be followed by arresting hemorrhage with this novel energy device in sequence. A standard suction device will also be employed. This simple saline/RF energy instrument has the potential to arrest ongoing solid organ surface/capsular bleeding, as well as moderate hemorrhage associated with deep lacerations.