Abstract
Background. Radiofrequency (RF-) assisted liver resection devices like the Habib sealer induce a necrotic resection plane from which a small margin of necrotic liver tissue remains in situ. The aim of the present paper was to report our long-time experience with the new resection method and the morphological characteristics of the remaining necrotic resection plane. Methods. 64 RF-assisted liver resections were performed using the Habib sealer. Followup was assessed at defined time points. Results. The postoperative mortality was 3,6% and morbidity was 18%. The followup revealed that the necrotic zone was detectable in all analyzed CT and MRI images as a hypodense structure without any contrast enhancement at all time points, irrespectively of the time interval between resection and examination. Conclusion. Liver resection utilizing radiofrequency-induced resection plane coagulation is a safe alternative to the established resection techniques. The residual zone of coagulation necrosis remains basically unchanged during a followup of three years. This has to be kept in mind when evaluating the follow up imaging of these patients.
Highlights
Surgical resection is currently the best therapeutic option in many liver malignancies, especially in colorectal liver metastases, the most frequent indication for liver resection in western countries
The radiofrequency ablation (RFA)-assisted liver resection using the Habib sealer is well established in the daily liver surgery, there are only a few long-time follow-up reports about this procedure [3] and only little information about the morphological and biological effects of the remaining necrotic margin
The aim of the present paper was to present our experience with radiofrequency-assisted liver resection using the Habib 4X sealer in particular with regard to the radiomorphological characteristics of the Habib sealer-induced necrotic resection plane
Summary
Surgical resection is currently the best therapeutic option in many liver malignancies, especially in colorectal liver metastases, the most frequent indication for liver resection in western countries. The RFA-assisted liver resection using the Habib sealer is well established in the daily liver surgery, there are only a few long-time follow-up reports about this procedure [3] and only little information about the morphological and biological effects of the remaining necrotic margin. Radiofrequency (RF-) assisted liver resection devices like the Habib sealer induce a necrotic resection plane from which a small margin of necrotic liver tissue remains in situ. The aim of the present paper was to report our long-time experience with the new resection method and the morphological characteristics of the remaining necrotic resection plane. The residual zone of coagulation necrosis remains basically unchanged during a followup of three years This has to be kept in mind when evaluating the follow up imaging of these patients
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