Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: A Controlled Study of Bipolar Inline Radiofrequency Ablation Device in Swine

Abstract

Background: Bipolar inline radiofrequency ablation (ILRFA) is an effective way to control bleeding during parenchymal organ transection. This was investigated in a study of laparoscopic hand-assisted partial nephrectomy in swine. Methods: Nine Landrace pigs were divided between 2 groups; diathermy was employed in the control group for parenchymal transaction and ILRFA was applied in the experimental group through a hand-port and deployed into the resection plane. After complete coagulation, resection was performed using scissors. Results: The mean intraoperative blood loss was 32 ± 15 mL in the ILRFA group and 187 ± 69 mL in the control group: a 82.9% reduction ( P = .015). The mean blood loss per resection area was 2.53 ± 0.92 mL/cm² in the ILRFA group compared with 17.31 ± 9.05 mL/cm ² in controls; the reduction was 85.4% (P = .005). Conclusions: ILRFA is effective in achieving reducing blood loss and provides a drier operative field for precise dissection.