Ligasure in total thyroidectomy

Abstract
Purpose  LigaSure is a bipolar diathermy system, which achieves vessel sealing with reduced thermal spread. The device has been used
successfully in abdominal operations and because of its features, it has been applied recently in thyroid surgery to minimize
the risk of complications such as laryngeal nerve palsy and hypocalcemia, and also to reduce the operating time.

Methods  Between June and December 2005, we performed total thyroidectomy for various disorders in 105 patients. We used the LigaSure
diathermy system in 53 patients and traditional hemostatic procedures in the other 52. We evaluated the demographic features,
histopathological diagnosis, operating times, and relevant postoperative complications.

Results  The two study groups had similar demographic and histopathological features. The mean operating time ± SD was not significantly
shorter in the LigaSure group than in the traditional group (104 ± 12.7 vs 110 ± 15.6 min). None of the patients in either
group suffered hemorrhage, definitive hypocalcemia, or definitive laryngeal nerve palsy. Transient hypocalcemia and transient
laryngeal nerve palsy developed in 7.54% and in 1.88%, respectively, of the patients in the LigaSure group, and in 7.69% and
1.92%, respectively, of the patients in the traditional group; these differences were not significant.

Conclusions  LigaSure is a safe and effective method of hemostasis control, but it did not reduce the incidence of complications or operating
times compared with traditional hemostatic procedures; moreover, the operative costs were higher.

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00595-007-3665-7Authors
Calogero Cipolla, University of Palermo, AOU Policlinico Paolo Giaccone Department of Oncology, Division of General and Oncological Surgery Via Pietro Di Novo 5 90018 Termini Imerese (PA) ItalyGiuseppa Graceffa, University of Palermo, AOU Policlinico Paolo Giaccone Department of Oncology, Division of General and Oncological Surgery Via Pietro Di Novo 5 90018 Termini Imerese (PA) ItalyLuigi Sandonato, University of Palermo, AOU Policlinico Paolo Giaccone Department of Oncology, Division of General and Oncological Surgery Via Pietro Di Novo 5 90018 Termini Imerese (PA) ItalySalvatore Fricano, University of Palermo, AOU Policlinico Paolo Giaccone Department of Oncology, Division of General and Oncological Surgery Via Pietro Di Novo 5 90018 Termini Imerese (PA) ItalySalvatore Vieni, University of Palermo, AOU Policlinico Paolo Giaccone Department of Oncology, Division of General and Oncological Surgery Via Pietro Di Novo 5 90018 Termini Imerese (PA) ItalyMario A. Latteri, University of Palermo, AOU Policlinico Paolo Giaccone Department of Oncology, Division of General and Oncological Surgery Via Pietro Di Novo 5 90018 Termini Imerese (PA) Italy

Journal Surgery TodayOnline ISSN 1436-2813Print ISSN 0941-1291

Journal Volume Volume 38

Journal Issue Volume 38, Number 6 / June, 2008 (Source: Surgery Today)