Use of biclamp decreased the severity of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy compared with ligasure: a prospective study

Abstract
Background  Postoperative hypocalcemia is the most common complication after thyroidectomy. New surgical devices have been propose to
achieve vessel sealing and hemostasis. However, the risk of parathyroid glands damage has not been fully elucidated. This
prospective study was designed to evaluate the severity of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy by using two different sealing
devices.

Methods  Between January 2005 and December 2006, 86 patients underwent total thyroidectomy by using BiClamp® (n = 46) or LigaSure® (n = 40) devices in our institution. The severity of postoperative hypocalcemia was analyzed.

Results  No mortality or recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was observed. Patients characteristics were similar in both groups. The mean
operation time was significantly shorter in the BiClamp group (142 ± 35 minutes versus 170 ± 57 minutes, P = 0.023). Eleven patients had symptomatic hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia (< 2 mmol/l) at postoperative day 1 was more frequent
in the LigaSure group than in the BiClamp group (P = 0.034). Significantly more patients in the LigaSure group required oral calcium supplementation than in the BiClamp group
(67.5% versus 34.7% respectively; P = 0.002).

Conclusion  The present prospective study suggests that total thyroidectomy can be performed safely with both surgical devices. However,
BiClamp reduced the operative time and the severity of postoperative hypocalcemia.

Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00268-008-9671-0Authors
Elie Oussoultzoglou, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg – Université Louis Pasteur Centre de Chirurgie Viscérale et de Transplantation, Hôpital de Hautepierre Avenue Molière Strasbourg Cedex 67098 FranceFabrizio Panaro, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg – Université Louis Pasteur Centre de Chirurgie Viscérale et de Transplantation, Hôpital de Hautepierre Avenue Molière Strasbourg Cedex 67098 FranceEdoardo Rosso, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg – Université Louis Pasteur Centre de Chirurgie Viscérale et de Transplantation, Hôpital de Hautepierre Avenue Molière Strasbourg Cedex 67098 FranceIon Zeca, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg – Université Louis Pasteur Centre de Chirurgie Viscérale et de Transplantation, Hôpital de Hautepierre Avenue Molière Strasbourg Cedex 67098 FrancePhilippe Bachellier, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg – Université Louis Pasteur Centre de Chirurgie Viscérale et de Transplantation, Hôpital de Hautepierre Avenue Molière Strasbourg Cedex 67098 FrancePatrick Pessaux, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg – Université Louis Pasteur Centre de Chirurgie Viscérale et de Transplantation, Hôpital de Hautepierre Avenue Molière Strasbourg Cedex 67098 FranceDaniel Jaeck, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg – Université Louis Pasteur Centre de Chirurgie Viscérale et de Transplantation, Hôpital de Hautepierre Avenue Molière Strasbourg Cedex 67098 France

Journal World Journal of SurgeryOnline ISSN 1432-2323Print ISSN 0364-2313 (Source: World Journal of Surgery)