A novel internal cold circulation radiofrequency-assisted device for liver transection

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new internal cold circulation bipolar radiofrequency compared with Habib-4X bipolar radiofrequency device in the resection of liver tumors. Methods A total of 85 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who received radiofrequency-assisted liver resection from February 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively enrolled in our study, in which 45 patients received the new internal cold circulation bipolar radiofrequency (New-RF) and 40 patients received Habib-4X bipolar radiofrequency (Habib-4X). Primary outcome measures were the speed of liver transection, the width of coagulation tissue, hemorrhage volume, blood transfusion rate, and operation time. Results The baseline characteristics of patients in the New-RF and Habib-4X groups had no significant difference (p > 0.05). Compared to Habib-4X, the New-RF had a faster average speed of liver transection (4.81 +/- 1.20 cm(2)/min vs 3.64 +/- 1.08 cm(2)/min, p < 0.001), a narrower width of coagulation tissue (1.42 +/- 0.23 cm(2) vs 1.81 +/- 0.20 cm(2), p < 0.001), a less operation time (55.04 +/- 16.12 min vs 64.02 +/- 15.09 min, p = 0.010), a lower rate of needle path bleeding (13.3% vs 35.0%, p = 0.019), and a lower carbonization rate of electrode needle (22.2% vs 77.8%, p < 0.001). Hemorrhage during the transection (85.0 ml vs 105.0 ml, p = 0.438) and hemorrhage per square centimeter (3.28 +/- 0.86 ml/cm(2) vs 3.60 +/- 1.12 ml/cm(2), p = 0.141) in the New-RF group were smaller than those in Habib-4X group with no significant difference. Conclusion The new internal cold circulation bipolar radiofrequency was a safe and efficacious auxiliary device for liver resection with a faster speed of resection, lower carbonization rate of electrode needle, and more precise range of coagulation.