'Burn and Push' technique: A novel robotic liver parenchymal transection technique.

Abstract

Liver parenchymal transection during robotic liver resection (RLR) remains a significant challenge due to the limited range of specialised instruments. This study introduces our 'Burn and Push' technique as a novel approach to address these challenges. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 patients who underwent RLR using the 'Burn and Push' technique at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System from November 2021 to August 2023. The study evaluated peri- and post-operative outcomes. The median operation time was 241.5min (range, 90-620min), and the median blood loss was 100mL (range, 10-600mL). Major complications occurred in one case, with no instances of postoperative bleeding, bile leak, or liver failure. The 'Burn and Push' technique is a viable and efficient alternative for liver parenchymal transection in RLR. Further research with larger sample sizes and consideration of the learning curve is necessary to validate these findings.