['Liver resection is widely used in the treatment of primary and secondary liver tumours. One of several important factors associated with mortality both in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients after liver resection is operative blood loss. We evaluated the use of a prototype radiofrequency ablation probe to treat the transection plane prior to liver resection in the sheep model.', 'In-line radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was performed on the liver using a prototype device consisting of 11 electrodes mounted on a 8-cm base. The RITA 1500 generator was used for power delivery. Ultrasonic aspirator (UA) and clamp resection were performed on the liver of sheep with and without in-line RFA. The blood loss was measured by weighing swabs.', 'A total of 26 liver resections were performed. The mean (SD) blood loss with UA resection was 0.032 g (0.011) versus 0.005 (0.005) g without and with prior in-line RFA, respectively (P = 0.001). The mean (SD) blood loss with clamp resection was 0.087 (0.10) g versus 0.01 (0.008) without and with in-line RFA, respectively (P = 0.155).'] Does novel in-line multielectrode radiofrequency ablation considerably reduce blood loss during liver resection in an animal model?