Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Cirrhosis: Radiofrequency-Assisted versus Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator

AIM: To compare the early postoperative results betweenRadiofrequency (RF)-assisted and Cavitron Ultrasonic SurgicalAspirator (CUSA) liver resection for HCC in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS: 18 cirrhotic patients who underwent RF-assisted liverresection for HCC were compared with 18 cirrhotic patients whounderwent CUSA liver resection. The two groups were well matchedfor age, gender, tumor size, and severity of cirrhosis. (Child-Pugh A).RESULTS: The mean Intraoperative blood loss (RF, 58±61 mL; vsCUSA, 197±75 mL; pr, p=0.001) was statistically less for the RFassistedgroup, The mean hospital stay is shorter in the RF-assistedgroup (RF-assisted, 7±2 days; vs CUSA, 10±3 days; pr, p=0.02).CONCLUSIONS: RF-assisted liver resection for HCC in properlyselected cirrhotic group showed less intraoperative blood loss andshorter hospital stay than the CUSA group.