An experimental study of the treatment of liver injury with InLine RFA

Background: The liver is the most frequently injured abdominal organ after blunt injury; sometimes it may be very difficult to achieve haemostasis. In this study we examined the use of InLine radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the coagulation and haemostasis of simulated liver injury. Materials and methods: Six pigs were tested in this study. We created two types of grade III to IV liver injury: peripheral and central. Then treatment with InLine RFA was compared to conventional diathermy and suture. A total of 32 surgeries were performed: peripheral injury (12 InLine versus 6 diathermy + suture); central injury (8 InLine versus 6 diathermy + suture). Results: The reduction of blood loss was 63.88% in peripheral injury and 53.57% in central injury, respectively. There were significant differences in both types of injuries as regards blood loss (p<0.05) and blood loss per cm2 (p<0.05). Conclusions: InLine RFA is efficacious in treating liver injuries in pigs and may have a significant potential for some human liver injuries.