Laparoscopic hepatectomy using a microwave tissue coagulator

Abstract

Non-surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing, thanks to the progress in ablation technology attained with the latest radiowave devices. However, hepatectomy is clearly the best treatment in terms of radicality. Recently, laparoscopic hepatectomy has increased as a treatment balancing radicality with minimal invasiveness. Laparoscopic hepatectomy is useful for tumor located in the front or the border region of the liver. Laparoscopic surgery requires a dry field, and control of bleeding is the key to its success or failure. To decrease an amount of bleeding, we perform previous coagulation by a microwave tissue coagulator along the incision line before the actual liver excision. It is very useful for laparoscopic hepatectomy.