Bloodless liver op could aid recovery

Radiofrequency waves seal the area around the tumour

British surgeons have come up with a way of removing liver tumours without the massive blood loss that can place patients in extra danger.

Surgeons at Hammersmith Hospital have modified an existing technique that uses heat to seal off blood vessels rather than stitches, glue, staples or sutures.

The team, aided by researchers from Imperial College, have found a way to increase the speed at which blood clots.

This new operative technique could lead to a new era and a novel way of operating on patients with liver cancer

Nagy Habib, Hammersmith Hospital

The liver is heavily supplied with blood, and cutting into it will always lead to high levels of bleeding.

Average blood loss during the long and complex surgery to remove liver tumours is anything between two and 20 pints.

This can jeopardise recovery and lengthen the amount of time a patient has to remain in intensive care.

Tests on 40 patients at the Hammersmith have averaged blood loss of only 30 millilitres.

Heat treatment

The technique uses radiofrequency waves which are delivered through an electrode placed in tissue around the tumour.

The heat generated by the waves dehydrates the cells surrounding the tumour, turning them into an effective seal.

The tumour can then be removed safely with very little blood loss.

The difference with this technique is that normal cells take only 40 seconds to clot, compared to liver tumour tissue, which takes 20 minutes.

Cut hospital time

The average post-operative stay in hospital was only eight days, compared with the normal two weeks.

None of the 40 patients suffered any local recurrence of their tumour.

Mr Nagy Habib, the surgeon who pioneered the operation, said: "Blood loss is commonplace in liver surgery at the moment.

"This new operative technique could lead to a new era and a novel way of operating on patients with liver cancer.

"Radiofrequency is easy and safe and offers a new method for transfusion-free liver operations.

"It has clear benefits to the patient, surgeon and NHS as a whole."