Surgical techniques in hepatic resections: Ultrasonic aspirator versus Jet-Cutter. A prospective randomized clinical trial

AIM OF THE STUDY: For all resection-techniques of liver tissue intra- and post-operative blood-loss remains an important problem. Two novel resection-techniques the ultrasound-aspirator (CUSA) and the water-jet dissector (Jet-Cutter) appear to offer significant advantages regarding this problem. Aim of the present prospective clinical study was the comparison of these dissection techniques.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective randomized study with the end points blood-loss, length of surgery, tissue trauma and long-term survival.FINDINGS: Significant differences between both procedures with Jet-Cutter (n = 31) versus ultrasonic surgical aspirator CUSA (n = 30) were observed regarding length of resection and complete liver ischemia time (Pringle-time). Here significant advantages of the jet-cutter-technique were observed with 28 +/- 11 minutes length of resection versus 46 +/- 19 minutes and 29 +/- 12 minutes Pringle-time versus 39 +/- 16 minutes. Furthermore, significant fewer blood transfusions were required following jet-cutter-resection with a mean of 1.5 blood units vs. 2.5 blood units using the CUSA. No differences were observed regarding postoperative long-term survival.CONCLUSIONS: The jet-cutter-technique is a fast and safe surgical procedure for liver resections and offers an attractive therapeutic alternative for various indications in liver surgery.