Segmental liver resection with linear stapling device. An experimental study on pigs.

Segmental liver resection was performed in 14 pigs. The pigs were randomized either to resection with conventional finger fracture technique or resection with linear stapling device (TA-90R, US Surgical Corporation). The median time for resection was shorter in the stapled group, although the difference was not statistically significant. The median weight of the specimen was the same in both groups. The median postoperative Haemoglobin value was somewhat lower in the finger fracture resected group as compared to the stapler resected group, 82.5 g/l versus 87.5 g/l, but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Blood loss, estimated by counting the number of compresses, amounted to 188 ml for the finger fracture resected group and 181 ml for the stapler resected group. At the post-mortem examination there were no signs of bile leakage or postoperative blood loss in any of the operated animals. This study demonstrates that hepatic resection in the pig can be performed quickly and safely by using linear stapling device. Stapler resection was easier and somewhat quicker to perform than conventional hepatic resection.