Radiofrequency Ablation Assisted Laparoscopic Hepatectomy

Abstract

As is introduced in the above chapters, despite advances in surgical technique, due to poor hepatic reserve, portal hypertension and other conditions that patients with concomitant cirrhosis may have, laparoscopic liver resection may be encountered with considerable intraoperative blood loss, which is why it is essential to develop techniques that can reduce blood loss during liver parenchymal resection. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which had been proved to be able to block small and medium-sized blood vessels (less than 5 mm in diameter) in the liver through thermal coagulation, was used in liver resection to reduce bleeding in the past years with satisfying results (Weber et al. 2002; Pai et al. 2008), and thus has been recommended for cirrhotic patients. In this chapter, we will discuss the indications and contraindications, operative steps, key techniques, major complications as well as points should be noted of RFA assisted laparoscopic liver resection in this chapter.