Ultrasonic-mediated laparoscopic liver transection

Parenchymal liver transection represents a fundamental phase of liver surgery. Several devices have been described for safe and careful dissection of the liver parenchyma during laparoscopic liver surgery, but the ideal technique has not yet been defined. This report describes the combined use of ultrasonic dissector and the ultrasonic coagulating cutter for laparoscopic liver resection. The ultrasonic dissector is used to fracture the parenchyma along the line of proposed division, and the uncovered bridging structures are sealed using the ultrasonic coagulating cutter. The combined use of ultrasonic dissector and harmonic scalpel allows liver resection to be safely performed, with the advantage of minimal surgical complication and low blood losses. (C) 2008 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.