Background: LigaSureand SurgRx are bipolar vessel sealing devices providing hemostasis by denaturating collagen and elastin from the vessel wall and surrounding connective tissue. We aimed to histopathologically evaluate the lateral injury during rat liver resection with LigaSure and SurgRx. Methods: Suture technique was used in group A, LigaSure was used in group B and SurgRx was used in group C to resect one lobe of liver from midline. One of the resected pieces was histopathologically examined the same day and the other piece was left in the animal to be examined at the 7th day. Relaparotomy was performed at the 7th day. Results: Necrosis, exudate formation, chronic inflammation, histiocytes and fibroblasts scores were significantly lower in SurgRx group compared to the other groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that LigaSure and SurgRx can be safely used in liver resection as compared to suture technique while SurgRx was superior than LigaSure in inflammatory response as it causes lower lateral thermal injury and inflammatory scores probably due to its different technical properties. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]