Comparison of Bipolar Vessel Sealing System versus Suture Ligation in Selective Neck Dissection in Patients with Oral Cancer

Introduction: Major head and neck surgery involve dissections close to crucial structures such as nerves and vessels. For this reason, it is very important to use safe instruments for dissection and hemostasis. In a wide variety of surgical procedures, advanced vessel sealing devices are replacing traditional techniques for vessel ligation. Aim: Our study aimed to compare the bipolar vessel sealing system versus suture ligation in selective neck dissection in patients with oral cancer. Methods: This prospective comparative study was conducted to compare the outcome of the bipolar vessel sealing system versus suture ligation in selective neck dissection in patients with oral cancer. Out of 40 patients enrolled in the study, 20 patients were in Group A (bipolar vessel sealing system) and 20 patients in Group B (Suture ligation). The outcome measures recorded were blood loss, operating time, duration of hospital stay, pre-operative blood transfusion, Fromme’s surgical field scale, post-operative pain, and drainage volume. Treatment protocol and follow-up protocol were followed and the results were statistically analyzed and discussed. Results: Out of 40 patients, 20 patients had bipolar vessel sealing system and 20 patients had suture ligation. In bipolar vessel sealing system of 20 patients, 12 patients were male and 8 patients were female, mean value of blood loss is 26.84 ± 22.34 ml, operating time is 48.56 ± 5.48 min, duration of hospital stay is 12.92 ± 1.28 days, mean value of post-operative pain in day 0 is 3.5 ± 1, day 1 is 3.1 ± 1, day 2 is 1.8 ± 0.5, and day 3 is 1.1 ± 0.5, and drainage volume (ml) in 24 h is 72.48 ± 28.46, 48 h is 24.57 ± 18.29, and 72 h is 7.24 ± 6.7. In suture ligation of 20 patients, 15 patients were male and 5 patients were female, mean value of blood loss is 39.28 ± 16.44 ml, operating time is 54.22 ± 4.14 min, duration of hospital stay is 13.87 ± 1.42 days, mean value of post-operative pain in day 0 is 4.01 ± 0.9, day 1 is 3.8 ± 1.1, day 2 is 2.4 ± 0.6, and day 3 is 1.6 ± 0.8, and drainage volume (ml) in 24 h is 98.28 ± 36.87, 48 h is 41.28 ± 21.24, and 72 h is 18.29 ± 9.45. Conclusion: Bipolar vessel sealing system is more efficacious in terms of reducing blood loss, operating time, and better surgical field than conventional suture ligation. Thus, bipolar vessel sealing system is more advantageous compared to the traditional techniques, from both a clinical and economic point of view.

Evaluation and prognosis of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax patients treated by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and thoracoscopic assisted small incision thoracotomy / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of VATS and suture ligation in the treatment of SP patients under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods From January to December in 2016, 58 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax patients were selected as the research object, randomly divided into observation group (n = 29) and control group (n = 29), the observation group with VATS stapler treatment, the control group with VATS suture treatment. The effect of surgical treatment in the two groups was evaluated comprehensively. Results The operation time and intraoperative blood volume of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05), the operation cost was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05), and there was no difference in postoperative tube time and hospitalization time (P > 0.05); There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (P > 0.05); There was no significant difference between the two groups in the postoperative pain score and the duration of the use of the pain killer (P > 0.05); The recurrence rate of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The two kinds of surgical treatment of pneumothorax were safe and effective, and the prognosis is good, but the VATS suture bleeding volume and operation time is better than that of VATS suture, and lower recurrence rate, and VATS suture surgery is low, in the clinical operation method selection according to the actual condition need.

Total Thyroidectomy with Central Neck Dissection Using Harmonic Focus: A Randomized Clinical Trial / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: The use of sealing devices such as Harmonic scalpel and Ligasure is increasing steadily in thyroid surgery. The Harmonic Focus (HF) is an ultrasonic device that enables simultaneous vessel sealing and tissue coagulation, designed for open surgery such as thyroidectomy. The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency and safety of HF use in thyroid surgery compared to Conventional Tying (CT). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted to compare the efficacy of HF versus CT. We evaluated 50 patients who underwent surgery for thyroid tumor at Korea University Anam Hospital. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection after being randomly allocated into two groups: HF group and CT group. The differences in surgical outcomes and postoperative complications by device use, i.e. group assignment, were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in number of retrieved lymph nodes (P=0.595), number of resected parathyroid glands (P=0.330), immediate postoperative iPTH (P=0.252), length of hospitalization (P=0.375) between HF group and CT group. However, operative time was shorter in HF group than CT group (106.07±20.92 min vs. 136.54±38.24 min, P=0.046). Postoperative complications of wound infection, seroma, hematoma, chyle leakage, vocal cord palsy, and hypoparathyroidism did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: HF is a safe, effective, and time-saving technique; outcomes are comparable with CT. Both intraoperative and postoperative variables were similar between groups. Future larger studies are warranted to further investigate the effect on postoperative complications.

Giant Neurofibroma on Both Buttocks

PURPOSE: Neurofibromatosis(NF) is an autosomal- dominant systemic disease. Up to fifty percent of patients with NF are reported to have concomitant vascular abnormalities. In the resection of a larger NF, the risk of uncontrolled hemorrhage is much higher due to the difficulty of hemostasis of large vessels within the tumor. We ligated the base of the giant NF with a simple loop- shaped ligation before removal of the giant NF in both buttocks. And then we successfully reduced the amount of hemorrhage during the operation. METHODS: A 46-year-old female patient presented for giant masses of both gluteal area, which has been growing slowly for the last ten years. Each mass was about 30x20 cm in size. After designing the elliptical resection margin, we tightened the tumor base by using continuous loop- shaped suture ligation(weaving the thread up and down in a loop-shaped pattern, leaving a space of 2cm between each loop) with a straight needle and prolene 2-0. After skin incision, we proceeded the dissection toward the central and inferior side of the mass obliquely while we avoided breaking large vascular sinuses. We resected the tumor in a wedged-shape. Subcutaneous tissue was sutured layer by layer and skin was closed by vertical mattress and interrupted suture. The loop-shaped ligation of the base was removed and compressive dressing was done with gauzes and elastic bandages. RESULTS: Postoperative complications such as infection, hemorrhage, hematoma, and dehiscence did not occur. Perioperatively the patient was sufficiently transfused with five units of blood and two units of fresh frozen plasma. During the subsequent 1 year follow-up, the functional and cosmetic results were excellent. CONCLUSION: A continuous loop-shaped suture ligation procedure along the base of the giant NF effectively reduced the amount of hemorrhage during the operation, made dissection and ligation of vessels easily and quickly, and shorten the operating time and postoperative recovery time.

Post-hemorrhoidectomy Secondary Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: Post-hemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage is a rare but serious complication after a hemorrhoidectomy. This study analyzed the factors associated with secondary hemorrhage following a surgical hemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: A total of 1,751 patients received a semiclosed hemorrhoidectomy for symptomatic hemorrhoidal disease from May 2001 to January 2004. A retrospective study of 17 patients with post-hemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage was done. Fourteen patients (82 percent) underwent surgery primarily for hemorrhoidal disease, two patients (12 percent) had hemorrhoids removed in addition to a sphincterotomy for anal fissure, and the remaining patient (6 percent) had a hemorrhoidectomy with fistulectomy. The variables analyzed included age, gender, incidence, recurrence, hospitalization, bleeding tendency, blood transfusion, and management. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 1.83:1 (P>0.05), and the mean age was 38.9 (range 19~55) years. The incidence of post-hemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage was 0.98 percent. The mean interval from the operation to hemorrhage was 8.9 (range 4~18) days. The period of mean hospitalization was 4.5 (range 2~8) days. As predisposing factors, 3 patients had suspected liver disease with normal platelet count. The mean 1.90 gm/dl of Hgb at the time of secondary hemorrhage was lower than the preoperative values. One patient (5.9 percent) required 3 units of red blood cell transfusions. Treatment modalities included observation alone in three patients (18 percent), and suture ligation in the operating theater in fourteen patients (82 percent). None of the patients developed recurrent bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Post-hemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage is an inevitable and a troublesome complication. The patient will need to be transferred rapidly to a hospital and resuscitated if necessary. The author favors suture ligation in controlling secondary hemorrhage. Suture ligation offers a good outcome with virtually no risk of recurrent bleeding. Post- hemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage usually occurs at home between the fourth and eighteenth postoperative day and takes place in 0.98 percent of hemorrhoidectomies. In the author's opinion, post-hemorrhoidectomy secondary hemorrhage usually is not a preventable complication.

Suture ligation technique in hemangioma of the head and neck

Intra-operative bleeding is what most surgeons want to avoid in any surgery. Excessive blood loss and compromise of vital structures are possible morbidities when this happens. This paper presents a method that will minimize intra-operative bleeding during excision of hemangiomas. "Suture ligation technique" is the application of simple interrupted overlapping sutures using silk 2.0 with an atraumatic needle around the hemangiomas prior to the skin incision. Although a number of cases have been done three were documented. It was observed that the technique provides a less bloody and clearer operative fields hence resulting in a faster and less stressful operation with lesser complications. (Author)