Monopolar electrocautery, an alternative novel method of hemostasis during radical cystectomy: preliminary report

ABSTRACT

During radical cystectomy, local hemostasis is a critical factor for surgical success. It can be accomplished with a variety of techniques including mechanical compression, ligatures, auterization and laser. The aim of this work was to evaluate monopolar electrocautery alone for achieving hemostasis during radical cystectomy. In this prospective study 30 patients were scheduled for radical cystectomy over a period of 2 years at Al-Azhar University Hospitals using monopolar electrocautery as the only hemostatic tool. The parameters studied were operative time, estimated blood loss and incidence of complications. The data were analyzed clinically and statistically. Monopolar electrocautery as the only hemostatic tool during radical cystectomy resulted in a short operative time [35 +/- 5 minutes]. The mean estimated blood loss was 150 +/- 50 ml. Intraoperative bleeding was encountered in 2 patients only and they received blood transfusion. The overall post-operative early [within the fi rst month] complication rate was low [13.3%] and all complications were managed conservatively. Monopolar electrocauterization is a safe method for achieving hemostasis during radical cystectomy, with a signifi cantly short operative time, low cost, low blood loss, a low cystectomy-related complication rate and a short hospital stay