DETECTION OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-RNA IN THE ULTRASONIC DISSECTOR IRRIGATING SOLUTION USED IN LIVER SURGERY

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was detected in the irrigating solution aspira ted by the ultrasonic dissector system used in liver surgery with reve rse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique and was then com pared with HCV RNA in the serum to clarify the risk of viral transmiss ion to hospital personnel. The positivity of HCV RNA in the aspirated irrigating solution was approximately equal in all patients whose seru m was positive for HCV RNA. However, viral RNA was not detected in the aspirated irrigating solution of any patient who seronegative for HCV RNA. These results indicate that it is necessary to be cautious regar ding the transmission of HCV during liver surgery when using the ultra sonic dissector in HCV RNA seropositive patients, the irrigating solut ion aspirated by this device appears to be highly infectious.