Tiroidectomia sin ligaduras: evaluando Ligasure Precise® / Ligasure® for hemostasis during thyroidectomy

Introducción: En tiroidectomia total se están evaluando métodos de hemostasia distintos a la ligadura habitual. Objetivo: Presentar nuestra experiencia inicial en la tiroidectomia total sin ligaduras, al utilizar el método de sellado de vasos a través de Ligasure Precise®. Material y método: Se consignaron en forma prospectiva, los datos de 129 pacientes: Datos personales, fecha de operación, antecedentes mórbidos, síntomas, función tiroidea, examen físico, ecografía, punción con aguja fina, tipo de operación, cirujano, tiempo operatorio, estadía postoperatoria, débito de drenajes, biopsia intraoperatoria y definitiva, complicaciones. Se utilizó un p < 0.05 como significativo para los cálculos estadísticos. Resultados: Se realizaron 129 tiroidectomías entre Enero y Agosto del 2005. Se operaron 65 pacientes deforma tradicional y 64 con Ligasure. No hubo mortalidad operatoria. Edad promedio 42,7 y 46,9 para cada grupo (p >0.05). Biopsia definitiva informó carcinoma en 34 y 32 por ciento respectivamente. Hospitalización promedio de 2,63 días y 2,26 días (p 0.02). El débito de drenajes fue 78 ce para el grupo Ligasure y 63,2 ce para el grupo tradicional. Tiempo operatorio promedio de 94 minutos (grupo tradicional) y 92 minutos (Ligasure) (p= 0.6). Las complicaciones fueron hematoma (1 caso por grupo), Lesión de recurrente laríngeo (1 caso en el grupo de ligadura tradicional) e hipocalcemia transitoria (6 casos en el grupo Ligasure y 1 caso en el grupo control). Conclusión: La tiroidectomia con Ligasure Precise es un método cómodo para el cirujano y tan seguro como la tiroidectomia con ligaduras. Su aplicación, indicación y reales beneficios deben ser evaluados en el futuro con mayor número de casos.

Background: Traditionally, hemostasis during thyroidectomy is done using clamp ligation of vessels. There is a new hemostasis method based on thermal coagulation and pressure that be used in this type of surgery. Aim: To report the experience with Ligasure Precise® thermal hemostasis system. Material and methods: Prospective evaluation of patients subjected to thyroidectomy with or without the use of Ligasure®. The choice of patients for each type of hemostasis was not randomized. Operative time, surgical complications and postoperative evolution were assessed. Results: During the study period, 64 patients aged 43 + 15 years were operated using Ligasure® and 65, aged 47 + 12, were operated using traditional hemostasis. Among patients with and without use of Ligasure®, operative time was 92 and 94 minutes respectively (p=NS), wound drainage volume was 78 and 63 ml respectively (p=NS) and hospital stay was 2.6 and 2.3 days respectively (p = 0.02). One patient in each group had a hematoma, one patient operated with Ligasure® had a lesion of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Six patients operated using Ligasure® and one operated without it, had transient hypocalcaemia. Conclusions: Ligasure® hemostasis system is safe in thyroidectomy.

Incidencia de hipocalcemia pos tiroidectomía total / Incidence of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy

Background: Postoperative hypocalcemia is one of the most common complications of thyroid surgery. It is related to the type of disease (malignant or benign), the number of identified parathyroid glands during the surgical procedure, and the surgeon's experience. Total thyroidectomy is the procedure of choice in our hospital for benign and malignant thyroid disease, but it can increase the incidence of complications. Aim: To evaluate the incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia in patients subjected to a total thyroidectomy. Material and methods: Two studies were performed. A retrospective review of medical records of 448 patients subjected to total thyroidectomy, looking for serum calcium levels of less than 8 mg/dl and clinical signs of hypocalcemia. In a second study, 45 patients were followed with measurements of preoperative and postoperative serum calcium levels. Results: In the retrospective study, only 136 records had reliable information. Clinical signs of hypocalcemia were registered in 14 percent of patients and a low serum calcium level was detected in 50 percent. In the prospective study, 42 percent of patients had a postoperative low serum calcium level and seven patients (15 percent) had symptoms. Patients were handled with oral calcium and calcitriol in some cases. Ninety nine percent of patients had normal serum calcium levels two moths after surgery. Conclusions: In this series, the rate of postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy is similar to internaitonal reports.