射频止血技术在肝切除术中的应用

目的 探讨射频止血技术在肝切除术中的临床应用价值.方法 回顾性总结2009年1月至2011年2月实施肝脏肿瘤切除患者60例.术中应用射频止血技术(raido-frequencyhemostasis,RFH)30例为射频组,传统钳夹法(clamp crushing method,CCM)30例作为对照组,两组患者年龄,性别,术前肝功能指标,病变大小等方面差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).记录患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后肝功能恢复情况,术后3d引流量,术后第1、7天ALT及T-BIL水平等方面进行对比研究.结果 RFH组术中出血(219±62) ml明显少于CCM组(416 ±96) ml,差异有统计学意义(t =5.241,P＜0.05),RFH组未发生大出血,CCM组5例术中损伤肝静脉,3例出现大出血.术后3d引流量RFH组明显少于CCM组,术后第1、7天ALT及T-BIL比较,RFH组明显小于CCM组(分别t =5.987,16.803,22.264,8.386,8.255,均P＜0.05).术后肝功能恢复RFH组明显快于CCM组.结论 射频止血技术在肝切除术中具备损伤小,出血量少,恢复快、安全性高等优势.     

微波止血分离器在降低肝门板的肝癌切除术中的应用

目的探讨微波止血分离器在降低肝门板的肝癌切除手术中的临床应用价值。方法回顾分析2010年至2012年70例应用微波止血分离器进行的降低肝门板的肝癌切除手术资料,采用微波止血分离器(HeSetor)进行肝门板解剖及断肝,术中仅阻断切除侧肝门;与同期40例常规手术对照组资料进行比较,该组采用常规Pringle阻断肝门及钳夹断肝。结果两组手术均顺利完成。HeSetor结合降低肝门板组手术时间平均(115.4±42.3)min;术中出血量平均(120.0±105.2)ml,术中均无输血;术后肝功能生化检查平均在(6.3±2.7)d恢复;术后并发症发生率为15.7%(11/70),其中胸腔积液5例(7.1%),腹水6例(8.6%);术后平均住院(6.4±3.5)d。常规手术对照组手术时间平均(169.1±86.5)min;术中出血量平均(360.5±153.1)ml,术中3例输血(7.5%);术后肝功能生化检查平均在(9.1±5.6)d恢复;术后并发症发生率为30.0%(12/40),其中胸腔积液5例(15.0%),腹水5例(15.0%),胆瘘2例(7.5%);术后平均住院(11.1±6.3)d。两组间以上指标比较,P值均小于0.05。结论应用微波止血分离器进行的降低肝门板的肝癌切除手术是一种安全可靠的肝切除方法,术中出血少,容易掌握,术后恢复快,值得临床推广应用。     

射频凝固器在肝癌肝切除术中的应用

目的 探讨射频凝固器与传统钳夹法行肝癌肝切除术对术中出血和术后并发症的影响.方法 回顾性分析2011年1月至2012年6月第三军医大学西南医院收治的130例肝癌患者的临床资料,采用配对病例对照研究方法,将65例采用射频凝固器进行肝切除术的肝癌患者设立为射频凝固器组;同时根据肿瘤的大小、部位和Child-Pugh分级在肝癌数据库中配对选取65例临床病理特征类似的采用传统钳夹法进行肝切除术的患者设立为传统钳夹组.对两组患者术中和术后的相关参数进行统计学对比分析.计量资料用中位数加范围表示,均数比较用方差分析;计数资料比较用x2检验,当例数＜ 10时采用Fisher确切概率法.结果 射频凝固器组患者的术中断肝时间和肝门阻断时间分别为28 min(12～55 min)和10 min(0～ 15 min),明显短于传统钳夹组的45min(25 ～92m in)和15 min(10～32min),两组比较,差异有统计学意义(F=10.35,9.05,P＜0.05);射频凝固器组患者的术中出血量和术中输血量分别为150ml(50 ～350ml)和0ml,显著少于传统钳夹组的450 ml (250～ 2500 ml)和550 ml(0～2000 ml),两组比较,差异有统计学意义(F=15.86,P＜0.05);射频凝固器组65例患者未输血,显著多于传统钳夹组的48例(x2=19.58,P＜0.05).射频凝固器组患者术后第3、7天AST和TBil,术后第3天PT、Clavien外科并发症分级、住院时间分别为302 U/L(89 ～823 U/L)、54 U/L(16 ～325 U/L)、37 μmol/L(18～112 μmol/L)、24 μmol/L(9～66 μmol/L)、15 s(11 ～20 s)、22％(14/65)、12 d(8 ～36 d),与传统钳夹组的253 U/L(63～876 U/L)、62 U/L(22 ～ 376 U/L)、41 μmol/L(19 ～ 105 μmol/L)、25tμmol/L(11 ～59 μmol/L)、14 s(11 ～21 s)、26％ (17/65)、13 d(9 ～35 d)比较,差异无统计学意义(F =2.59,1.93,3.96,1.58,2.35,x2=0.381,F=1.58,P＞0.05);射频凝固器并发症发生率为17％(11/65),显著低于传统钳夹组的52％(34/65),两组比较,差异有统计学意义(x2=17.38,P＜0.05).其中射频凝固组只有2例患者发生术后出血,显著少于传统钳夹组的22例.但射频凝固器组有8例患者发生断面包裹性积液,其中5例需穿刺引流.传统钳夹组有2例患者发生肝功能不全;射频凝固器组有2例患者发生血红蛋白尿.结论 与传统钳夹法比较,射频凝固器行肝切除术具有出血少、安全、快捷的优点.     

Habib 4X在肝脏切除术中的应用进展

目前外科切除术是肝脏肿瘤治疗的主要临床手段,但肝脏具有血运丰富的解剖特点,因此肝切除术中出血往往难以有效控制,且患者多有肝硬化病史,导致术后肝衰竭风险较高,影响预后与生存.为有效控制出血,临床应用了各种止血技术与设备;其中,Habib 4X作为一款新型止血器械,其疗效在多项研究中得到认可.现将其应用进展作一综述.     

射频止血系统在肝切除术中的应用(附65例报告)

目的介绍一种新的射频止血系统在肝切除术中的应用情况并评估其安全性及有效性。方法 2015年6月至2016年6月间11例病人单独使用射频止血系统行肝切除术,54例病例采用射频止血系统与其他肝切除设备[超声刀、双极电凝钳和超声吸引刀(cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator,CUSA)]配合使用行肝切除术。使用射频止血系统解剖第一肝门、离断肝周韧带,使用其他切肝设备离断肝脏实质,肝断面出血点采用射频止血系统止血。结果 11例单独使用射频止血切肝的病人中,有9例没有行肝脏血流阻断,1例左半肝切除病人预先结扎患侧入肝血流,1例左半肝切除术中行陈氏肝血流阻断(第一肝门阻断联合肝下下腔静脉阻断);中位出血量为150 ml(30~300 ml),中位手术时间为200 min(90~250 min)。射频止血系统配合使用其他切肝设备54例病例中:腹腔镜肝切除术33例,开腹手术21例;33例未采用任何血流阻断方法(59.3%),第一肝门联合下腔静脉阻断3例,第一肝门阻断5例,10例半肝切除及3例扩大左半肝切除均预先处理患侧血管;54例中有1例活体肝移植供肝手术未采用任何血流阻断技术;腹腔镜手术无中转开腹;中位出血量为230 ml(50~500 ml),中位手术时间为240 min(90~360 min)。所有病例均未输血,均恢复顺利,无严重术后并发症,无围手术期死亡。结论在肝切除术中使用射频止血系统可减少术中出血量,避免肝血流阻断带来的缺血再灌注损伤,操作简单,值得推广。     

射频止血联合术中超声在肝切除术75例中的应用

应用射频止血技术可以在不阻断肝门的情况下按切除路径的凝固坏死区域进行肝实质离断,并控制出血及胆瘘,降低术后并发症。术中超声（intraoperative ultrasonography,IOUS）的应用使肝脏切除更加精准[1]。笔者2010年开始将射频止血技术联合术中超声用于肝切除术,取得满意效果。     

预先区域性血流阻断在肝脏肿瘤切除术中的应用

目的 探讨预先区域性血流阻断在肝脏肿瘤切除术中的作用.方法 28例肝肿瘤患者采用预先区域性血流阻断技术行肿瘤切除(阻断组),24例采用常规肝肿瘤切除患者(对照组).术前两组患者肝功能Child-Pugh评分均为A级.阻断组术中采用血流阻断针在B超配合下将阻断带置人肿瘤周围肝实质中阻断肿瘤的血流,对照组采用第一肝门阻断法切除肿瘤.结果 阻断组出血量、麻醉时间及术后住院天数分别为(340±92)ml,(98.4±25.0)min,(10.2±2.3)d;对照组为(620±124)ml,(135.8±47.5)min,(16.5±5.1)d,两组比较差异有统计学意义(分别f=9.222,9.328,5.875,均P<0.01).术后第2天阻断组和对照组ALT分别为(378.4±35.2)U/L,(539.2±115)U/L(t=7.012,P<0.01),TBIL(37.5±11.2)mmol/L,(51.8±29)mmol/L(t=8.818,P<0.01),PT(17.4±2.4)sec,(20.4±2.8)see(t=4.16,P<0.01).术后第7天阻断组和对照组ALT分别为(57.1±15.5)U/L,(98.1±21.2)U/L,TBIL(25.4±4)mmol/L,(46.3±13)mmol/L.PT(13.2±4.2)sec,(15.7±2.2)sec,两组相比差异有统计学意义(分别t=8.039,8.085,2.621,均P<0.01).结论 预先区域性肝血流阻断术能较好控制肝癌术中出血有利于术后肝功能恢复.     

微波止血分离器在腹腔镜肝切除术中的应用

目的：评价微波止血分离器在腹腔镜肝切除术中的应用价值。
　　方法：回顾性分析2009年7月—2013年6月使用HeSetor微波止血分离器为28例患者行腹腔镜肝切除术的临床资料。
　　结果：28例均顺利完成,无手术中转、手术死亡发生,手术时间平均（124±45）min,术中出血量平均（140±110）mL。全组患者无术后出血、胆瘘、肝功能衰竭等严重并发症。术后平均住院（6.9±2.7）d。28例患者随访6~53个月,6例肝癌患者术后5~16个月后出现肝内转移复发,切口均未见种植转移。结论：应用微波止血分离器行腹腔镜肝切除术止血可靠,术后无严重并发症,是一种安全可行的切肝方法。     

超声引导射频治疗肝脏肿瘤

原发性肝癌 (HCC)和转移性肝癌 (MLC)只有少数能够外科手术切除 ,目前的化疗及放疗均不能达到彻底杀灭肿瘤细胞的目的[1] 。近年来开展了微创性的局部治疗方法 ,其中射频消融 (radiofrequencyablation ,RFA)已成为较有效的肿瘤局部治疗手段之一。2 0世纪 80年代 ,RFA技术还仅限于表浅部位肿瘤的治疗 ,疗效不令人满意。 1990年Rossi等[2 ] 和McGahan等[3 ] 首次报道超声引导下采用RFA对身体内部深层肿瘤组织产生热凝固消融的新概念 ,此后RFA技术被广泛应用于肝脏肿瘤 ,并设计了不同类型的RFA电极针 ,包括单电极、双电极、多电极、…     

肝脏肿瘤的低温冷冻切除术

实验研究表明 ,低温冷冻可导致肝脏细胞组织坏死。其机制大致有二 :一是冷冻导致肝细胞的某些结构发生改变 ,如细胞内的冰晶形成、在解冻过程中的细胞膜脂蛋白复合物变性和细胞质膜内外渗透压的改变等使肝细胞碎裂坏死 ;二是冷冻使肝组织的营养障碍包括局部微血栓形成 ,组织缺血缺氧 ,微循环衰竭 ,肝脏微血管 /肝窦的不可逆性灌注停止 ,不可避免地导致冷冻组织发生营养障碍性坏死。近年来 ,临床上逐步发展和完善了肝脏肿瘤的低温冷冻切除术 ,取得了令人满意的效果。现将该手术的方法介绍如下。1.技术设备 :( 1)制冷元件为多根真空绝缘的可输…     

肝蒂联合右肝静脉阻断在巨块型肝癌切除中的应用

目的评估肝蒂联合右肝静脉阻断在巨块型肝癌切除中的作用和意义。方法对2003年2月至2006年8月中南大学湘雅二医院肝胆外科收治的138例位于右半肝及中央型的巨大肝癌行肝蒂联合右肝静脉阻断,观察肝脏血流阻断时间、手术时间、术中出血量、术后肝功能的变化及术后并发症。结果135例在肝外游离出右肝静脉并加以阻断,3例以小的心耳钳沿腔静脉方向纵行夹住右肝静脉阻断出肝血流。所有病例右侧均顺利阻断肝蒂。肝脏血流阻断时间平均为(18±6)min,手术时间平均为(180±45)min,术中出血400~1200mL,56例术中未输血。术后无一例发生肝功能衰竭。术后膈下感染2例,胆漏4例,经引流自愈。结论在巨块型肝癌切除中,肝蒂联合右肝静脉阻断技术可以有效地减少术中出血,降低术后肝功能衰竭的发生率。     

Local, intrahepatic, and systemic recurrence patterns after radiofrequency ablation of hepatic malignancies

The objective of this study was to describe the recurrence patterns in patients with unresectable hepatic malignancies treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). As RFA is applied more widely to patients with hepatic tumors, a better understanding of the biologic behavior of these tumors and the risk of recurrence, both in the liver and systemically, is needed. A multidisciplinary team evaluated patients referredh for RFA and followed them prospectively to assess local, intrahepatic, and extrahepatic disease recurrence and complication rates. Forty-five patients with 143 lesions and a minimum follow-up of 6 months (median 19.5 months) were treated. Overall, 7.7% of treated lesions had local recurrence. New intrahepatic disease was seen in 49% of patients, and 24% had evidence of new systemic tumor progression. Patients with colorectal metastatic lesions > 4 cm at the time of the first RFA were more likely to present with local recurrence (P = 0.048). Complications occurred in 27% of patients. Although RFA has a satisfactory local failure rate and safety profile, the patient population being treated is at high risk of developing new disease. Multimodality adjuvant therapy will be necessary to realize the full potential of hepatic malignancy control with RFA. Presented in part at the Third Americas Congress of the American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, Miami, Florida, Feb. 22–25, 2001.     

术中多极射频消融在肝脏恶性肿瘤治疗中诊疗体会(附20例病例报告)

目的 探讨术中多极射频消融(RFA)在肝脏恶性肿瘤(特别是消化道恶性肿瘤肝脏转移肿瘤)中的作用、适应症及其安全性.方法 2011年8月至2012年3月,我科共收治应用术中RFA的肝脏恶性肿瘤患者20例.术前影像学发现20例患者的肝脏共有37个病灶;对于直径≤5 cm的病灶采用“一针穿刺,多极消融”的空间布针方案,对于直径＞5 cm的病灶采用“多针穿刺,盐水增强消融”的空间布针射频方案.结果 所有患者均顺利完成手术及RFA治疗,所有患者术后7天复查肝脏增强CT,所有消融病灶均显示为低密度液暗区,19例患者肝脏组织毁损范围超过术前病灶体积.其中直径≤5 cm的肝脏单个射频消融病灶患者13例术后随访2～7个月,肝脏未发现复发病灶.术中针道出血2例,予以缝合止血,余病例未发生腹腔内出血、胆道损伤、针道种植转移、肝功能衰竭等射频消融并发症.结论 射频消融是一种微创治疗,手术联合RFA治疗肝脏恶性肿瘤近期疗效确切,安全性好,适应症广.其远期疗效、与肝脏恶性肿瘤其他治疗方案疗效的比较尚待进一步观察.     

Gyrus PlasmaKinetic bipolar coagulation device for liver resection

Background: Liver parenchymal transection can be associated with significant blood loss and morbidity. We present our initial experience with the Gyrus PlasmaKinetic coagulation device in liver parenchymal resection in both cirrhotic and non‐cirrhotic patients. Methods: Liver resections were performed in 51 consecutive patients, from 20 July 2005 to 31 August 2007, using the Gyrus PlasmaKinetic coagulator. Requirement for blood transfusions, operating time, duration of hospital stay and major complications were evaluated initially for the group as a whole. Subsequently, the 11 patients with histologically confirmed cirrhosis (nine men, two women, median age 54 years, range 24–74 years) were compared with 40 patients without cirrhosis (25 men, 15 women, median age 57 years, range 24–87 years). Results: There were 34 men and 17 women. The median age was 56 (range 24–87 years). There were 48 open procedures and 3 laparoscopic procedures. There were 30 major resections (>2 segments) and 21 minor resections (one to two segments). The overall median operating time was 260 min (range 90–690). Length of stay had a median of 9 days, range 4–50 days. Twenty‐one patients (41%) required a blood transfusion. Two biliary leaks were observed in non‐cirrhotic patients initially before the settings of the Gyrus device were optimized. Conclusions: The Gyrus PlasmaKinetic coagulation device is a novel instrument for hepatic parenchymal transection in liver resection, which can be safely used in cirrhotic and non‐cirrhotic patients.     

Rationale for the combination of cryoablation with surgical resection of hepatic tumors

Only 5% to 10% of metastatic and primary liver tumors are amenable to surgical resection. Hepatic cryoablation has increased the number of patients who are suitable for curative treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate survival and intrahepatic recurrence in patients treated with cryoablation and resection. From June 1994 to July 1999, thirty-eight surgically unresectable patients underwent a total of 42 cryoablative procedures for 65 malignant hepatic lesions. Twenty patients underwent cryoablation alone, and 18 patients were treated with a combination of resection and cryoablation, with a minimum of 18 months’ follow-up. The 38 patients had the following malignancies: primary hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 8) and metastases from colorectal cancer (n = 21), neuroendocrine tumors (n = 3), ovarian cancer (n = 3), leiomyosarcoma (n = 1), testicular cancer (n = 1), and endometrial cancer (n = 1). Patients were evaluated preoperatively with spiral CT scans and intraoperatively with ultrasound examinations for lesion location and cryoprobe guidance. Local recurrence was detected by CT. Major complications included bleeding in three patients and acute renal failure, transient liver insufficiency, and postoperative pneumonia in one patient each. Two patients (5%) died during the early postoperative interval; mean hospital stay was 7.1 days. Median follow-up was 28 months (range 18 to 51 months). Overall survival according to Kaplan-Meier analysis was 82%, 65%, and 54% at 12, 24, and 48 months, respectively. Forty-eight-month survival was not significantly different between those patients undergoing cryoablation alone (64%) and those treated with a combination of resection and cryoablation (42 %). Diseasefree survival at 45 months was 36% for patients undergoing cryoablation plus resection compared to 25% for those undergoing cryoablation alone. Local recurrences were detected at five cryosurgical sites, for a rate of 12% overall (5 of 42), 11% (2 of 18) for patients in the cryoablation plus resection group, and 12% (3 of 24) for those in the cryoablation alone group. For patients with colorectal metastases, survival was 70% at 30 months compared to 33% for hepatocellular cancer and 66% for other types of tumors. Patients with tumors larger than 5 cm or numbering more than three did not have significantly decreased survival. Cryoablation of hepatic tumors is a safe and effective treatment for some patients not amenable to resection. The combination of cryoablation and resection results in survival comparable to that achieved with cryoablation alone. Presented at the Forty-First Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, San Diego, Calif., May 21–24, 2000.     

射频消融诱导兔VX2肝脏移植瘤细胞凋亡

目的　探讨射频消融 (RFA)对兔VX2 肝脏移植瘤的治疗机制。方法　通过VX2 肿瘤组织混悬液肝内注入法建立兔肝脏肿瘤模型 ,随机分为实验组及对照组 ,分别予以RFA治疗及假性处理 ,于治疗结束后 0、12h、1、2、4、8、16d共 7个时间点分别切取肿瘤中心组织及边缘组织为检测标本 ,进行HE染色、透射电镜检查并运用TUNEL法检测肿瘤细胞凋亡情况。结果　治疗组毁损区边缘部组织中有大量阳性细胞 ,中心部分亦有较多的阳性细胞 ,两者凋亡细胞指数差异非常显著 (P <0 .0 1)。对照组标本中仅发现极少数阳性细胞 ,且其中心区与边缘区无统计学差异 ,其凋亡细胞指数与治疗组标本相比 ,差异均非常显著 (P <0 .0 1)。于不同时间点观察 ,治疗组细胞凋亡高峰在 2 4h左右 ,而对照组细胞凋亡则无明显时间分布特征。结论　诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡是射频消融治疗肝脏恶性肿瘤的一项重要机制。其发生的部位主要是肿瘤周边区 ,时间高峰在RFA作用后 2 4h左右。     

射频凝血器在原发性肝癌切除术中的应用

目的 探讨射频凝血器在原发性肝癌切除术中的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析2010年1月至2012年2月西安交通大学医学院第一附属医院收治的82例行手术切除的原发性肝癌患者的临床资料,根据其手术方式不同将患者分为射频止血肝切除组(41例)和常规钳夹肝切除组(41例),通过对两组患者的临床资料进行分析,评价射频凝血器的应用价值.计量资料采用t检验,计数资料采用x2检验.结果 射频止血肝切除组平均手术时间(77±28) min,比常规钳夹肝切除组的(129±34) min明显缩短(t=7.432,P＜0.05);射频止血肝切除组肝门阻断4例,较常规钳夹肝切除组的23例明显减少(x2=19.934,P＜0.05);射频止血肝切除组和常规钳夹肝切除组术中出血量分别为(241±214) ml和(751 ±421) ml,术中输血患者比例分别为15％ (6/41)和49％(20/41),两者比较,差异均有统计学意义(t=6.920,x2=11.038,P＜0.05).射频止血肝切除组和常规钳夹肝切除组在术后出血发生率、术后胆汁漏发生率方面比较,差异无统计学意义(x2=0.213,1.822,P＞0.05);射频止血肝切除组术后住院时间为(9±4)d,比常规钳夹组的(12±7)d明显减少(t=2.368,P＜0.05).两组均无围手术期死亡患者.结论 新型手术辅助器械射频凝血器能够有效地控制出血、减少手术时间,缩短术后住院时间,在原发性肝癌手术治疗中有较大的应用价值.     

经皮肝穿刺冷循环射频消融治疗肝癌疗效分析

目的观察经皮肝穿刺冷循环射频消融术（Cool-tipRFA）对肝癌的热消融作用,探讨其适应证。方法在局麻下及B超引导下,射频电极经皮穿刺入肝癌瘤体内,对其进行消融。结果28例患者的38个瘤体中：直径≤3cm的26个瘤体,24个获得完全热消融,热消融率为91．9％;直径为3～5cm的7个瘤体中5个瘤体获得完全热消融,热消融率为71．4％;直径为5～8cm的5个瘤体中2个瘤体获得完全热消融,热消融率为40％。无明显术后并发症发生。术后6月、1年、2年及3年生存率分别为96．4％,89．3％,78．6％及60．7％。结论经皮肝穿刺冷循环射频消融术对直径≤5cm的肝癌疗效可靠,是一种安全、有效治疗肝癌的方法。     

Large hepatic ablation with bipolar saline-enhanced radiofrequency: an experimental study in in vivo porcine liver with a novel approach

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively new technology for the local destruction of liver tumors. Development of recent devices has enabled the creation of larger lesions. Nevertheless, treating liver tumors larger than 2.5 cm in diameter often requires multiple overlapping ablations to encompass the tumor and the surrounding healthy tissue rim with an increasing risk of local recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RFA (480 kHz) of the liver using our method was undertaken on a total number of 15 healthy farm pigs with (Group B, n = 8) or without (Group A, n = 5) the Pringle maneuver via laparotomy. The pigs were followed and euthanized on the seventh day of the experiment. Livers were removed for histological assessment. Time of the procedure, impedance, current, power output, energy output, temperatures in the liver, central temperature of the animal, volume size of the lesion, and delivered energy per lesion volume were determined and compared among groups. Additionally a regularity ratio (RR) was determined by gross examination of the specimen and scored (0-3) taking into account regularity and predictability of the ablation with pathologic assessment. RESULTS: With both methods, ellipsoid lesions were created between the two probes. In both groups tissue impedance fell with time (r = -0.47, P < 0.01 and r = -0.34, P < 0.05, in Groups A and B, respectively). The mean lesion size achieved with the Pringle maneuver was the largest lesion size described in the literature for any RFA method in vivo and was greater in Group B than in Group A (123.22 cm(3) +/- 49.62 and 52.40 cm(3) +/- 23.59, respectively, P < 0.05). A better regularity and predictability evaluated by RR was observed in Group B compared to Group A (1.88 +/- 1.35 and 0.40 +/- 0.55, respectively, P < 0.05). Five major complications were described and attributed primarily to failure in isolation from hypertermic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Our new bipolar saline-enhanced electrode with Pringle maneuver achieves large hepatic ablations in in vivo pig liver. These large lesions are well-tolerated by the animal when thermal injuries to adjacent structures are avoided.     

Survival and recurrences after hepatic resection or radiofrequency for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: A multivariate analysis

Hepatic resection is still considered the treatment of choice for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis. Radiofrequency ablation is a new emerging modality. The aim of this study was to compare two homogeneous groups of patients who underwent either surgical resection or laparoscopic radiofrequency, analyzing the factors predicting survival and intrahepatic recurrences with use of a multivariate analysis. From February 1997 to April 2003, 98 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Inclusion criteria were a single nodule of less than 5 cm, Child A-B class of liver function, and no previous treatment: 40 patients were in the surgical group and 58 patients were in the radiofrequency group. The two groups were homogeneous as far as preoperative characteristics were concerned. Operative mortality was zero, and the rates of operative morbidity were similar. Actuarial survival at 4 years was not significantly different (61% after resection and 45% after radiofrequency). There was a significant higher incidence of intrahepatic recurrences after radiofrequency than after resection (53% versus 30%; P = 0.018). This was mainly due to local recurrences, whereas those appearing in other liver segments were similar in both groups. A multivariate analysis showed that the significant factors predictive of an intrahepatic recurrence were the level of α-fetoprotein, the etiology of cirrhosis, and the type of the treatment. On the other hand, multivariate analysis of the survival showed that only the level of α-fetoprotein was an independent predictor of survival. The results of our study showed a significant lower incidence of intrahepatic recurrences after resection compared with after radiofrequency. This seems not to significantly influence the overall survival, probably because of a prompt and effective treatment of the recurrences themselves. Presented at the Forty-Fifth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, New Orleans, Louisiana, May 15–19, 2004 (oral presentation).