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Authors:
Hakan Bulus, MD, Mutlu Sahin, MD, Dogan Ozturk, MD, Alper Yavuz, MD, Veysel Baris Turhan, MD, Bulent Ozturk, MD, Turkey
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Abstract:
Aim:
In thyroid surgery, hemostasis is generally maintained via suture
ligation along with bipolar or monopolar electrocoagulation. However, harmonic
scalpel (HS), which is an alternative technique for hemostasis, has also been
preferred recently. In this study we evaluate the
safety and feasibility of conventional thyroidectomy and HS thyroidectomy in
open thyroidectomy.
Material and Method
80 patients who received total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid diseases were included in the study. Patients undergoing thyroidectomy were divided into 2
groups; group I, where the Harmonic FOCUS Shear was used, and group II, where
electrocautery and clamp-and-tie technique were used for hemostasis.
Results:
There was no statistical difference
detected between the groups in terms of average age, sex ratio and thyroid
volumes. The duration of surgery was 52.3 ± 5.2 minutes in Group I and 71.3 ±
2.8 in the second (p=0.02). The
amount of drainage was 42.1 ± 23 ml in group I and 74.4 ± 28 ml in the second (p=0.03). Level of postoperative pain was
scaled with Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and it was 3.3 ± 1.3 in Group I and 4.7 ±
1.7 in the second (p=0.042).
Transitory hypoparathyroidism was %25 (4) in Group I, it was %12.5 (2) in the
second and this difference was considered statistically significant (p=0.04).
Conclusion:
Harmonic Scalpel is a reliable and safe tool for thyroidectomy. Its
utilization is associated with a shorter operative time, less drainage volume,
and less postoperative pain.
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