Laparoscopic liver resection using a radiofrequency dissector. Initial experience]

Laparoscopic liver surgery, especially when resective, requires both the skill of an expert laparoscopist and the experience of a liver surgeon. The aims of the study were to assess the feasibility of minor laparoscopic liver resection by means of a radiofrequency dissector and to evaluate the laparoscopic approach. From January 1993 to November 2002 we carried out 7 laparoscopic liver resections (3 men, 4 women), 5 of which for benign diseases and 2 for metastases from colorectal cancer. In 4 of the above resections we used an argon coagulator, while the last 3 were performed using a radiofrequency instrument. We had no perioperative or postoperative complications in this small series of patients. The mean perioperative blood loss was 120 ml (range: 80-200) and the procedure took about 90 minutes on average (range: 80-110). The mean hospital stay was 4 days and pain was adequately controlled by administering 2 ml of Toradol twice daily. We believe that the advantages of the laparoscopic technique together with the efficacy of the radiofrequency instrument in liver surgery will lead to a more widespread use of this procedure and extension of its use to include the safe execution of both minor and major resections.