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Ultrasonic scalpel in thyroid surgery
Coimbra C. , Defechereux T. , Meurisse N. , Squifflet J.P. , Meurisse M.
Rev Med Liege 2007, 62(S2),83-86Abstract : The thyroid gland is highly vascularized and, in all Thyroid surgery, a special attention must be paid to haemostasis and coagulation. Any carelessness in the control of thyroid vessels can indeed entail serious consequences. In this respect, the ultrasonic scalpel represents a significant progress. In this paper, the ultrasonic dissector will first be presented. Then a prospective, randomized trial comparing the results obtained with this apparatus to those obtained with the conventional method of hemostasis in a series of 34 patients submitted to total thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter will be summarized. Without increasing the costs, the ultrasonic dissector allows a saving of operative time as well as a reduction of peroperative bleeding and of postoperative use of antalgics. Finally, the results of 1696 total thyroidectomies performed with the use of the ultrasonic dissector will be briefly outlined.
