Snip-electrocoagulation technique versus clamp-crashing technique for parenchyma transection in liver resection: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, much effort has been made to optimize the technique for liver parenchyma transection to reduce intrasurgical hemorrhage and complications. Here we intent to introduce a novel method for sharp liver parenchyma transection using scissors and bipolar electrocoagulator (named the snip-electrocoagulation technique, SET) and compare it with the classical clamp-crushing technique (CCT). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 98 patients were divided into either the SET group or the CCT group. The total inflow occlusion time, total surgery time, intrasurgical blood loss and transfusion, morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, and the narrowest tumor-free margins were compared. RESULTS: Background characteristics in the two groups were comparable, and the differences of total inflow occlusion time (median 25 vs. 27 minutes), total surgery time (median 182.5 vs. 190 minutes), blood transfusion amount (median value 0 in both groups), postoperative hospital stay (median 7 vs. 8 days), and overall complication rate (16% vs. 31.2%, P>0.05) were not statistically significant. However, the SET group yielded less intrasurgical blood loss (median 200 vs. 300 mL), and better tumor-free margins (13.69±2.99 vs. 10.76±3.31 mm; mean ± SD; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SET is a safe method for sharp parenchyma transection in liver resection when compared with the classical CCT, considering the similar morbidity and mortality, along with the decreased intrasurgical blood loss. More importantly, SET can be adopted when the tumors are located close to the intrahepatic vessels and the tumor-free margins are expected to be limited.