Harmonic focus in thyroidectomy for substernal goiter.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

No previous prospective study has evaluated harmonic scalpel in thyroidectomy for substernal goiter. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of harmonic scalpel (FOCUS shear, Ethicon Endo-Surgery) in thyroidectomy for substernal goiter for blood loss, operative time, hospital stay and complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Prospective non-randomised study of 242 consecutive patients with substernal goiter out of 2258 patients (11%) who underwent thyroidectomy. A total of 121 patients had thyroidectomy performed with bipolar electrocoagulation and knot-tying techniques and 121 patients had harmonic scalpel thyroidectomy.

RESULTS:

The use of harmonic scalpel was associated with significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss (50 vs. 100mL, p=0.001), postoperative haemorrhage (4% vs. 12%, p=0.03) and length of hospital stay (2 vs. 3 days, p=0.001). The mean operative time was significantly longer in the harmonic group.

CONCLUSION:

Harmonic scalpel is a safe tool for thyroidectomy for substernal goiter. Its utilisation is associated with reduced blood loss, lower incidence of postoperative haemorrhage and shorter hospital stay.

• Authors: Christoffer Holst Hahn, Waldemar Trolle, Christian Hjort Sørensen
• Journal: Auris, nasus, larynx (Auris Nasus Larynx) Vol. 42 Issue 4 Pg. 311-7 (Aug 2015) ISSN: 1879-1476 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 25752670 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Blood Loss, Surgical (statistics & numerical data)
• Electrocoagulation (methods)
• Female
• Goiter (surgery)
• Goiter, Substernal (surgery)
• Humans
• Length of Stay (statistics & numerical data)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Operative Time
• Postoperative Complications
• Prospective Studies
• Thyroidectomy (instrumentation, methods)
• Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures (methods)