ABSTRACT
Objectives: Quick and effective hemostasis is essential for a successful laparoscopic surgery. Hence, it is of utmost importance for laparoscopic surgeons to understand the various available and emerging energy sources to tailor their use according to their properties and surgical requirement. The aim of this study was to compare LigaSure, an advanced bipolar versus conventional bipolar in total laparoscopic hysterectomy, with respect to operating time, mean blood loss, mean reduction in hemoglobin, intraoperative, and postoperative complications, and duration of prospective hospital stay. Materials and Methods: It was a randomized controlled study. One hundred and twenty patients scheduled for elective hysterectomy for any benign indication were randomly allocated to two groups namely, conventional bipolar group and LigaSure group. Patients with a history of ≥3 laparotomies, uterine size >20 weeks were excluded. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy/salpingo oophorectomy was done in all the patients and endpoints were evaluated. Results: All the recruited participants (n = 120) achieved study endpoints. There was statistically significant difference in the meantime to dissect adnexal ligaments, primary and total operating time (for adnexal ligaments: Conventional bipolar-9.44 min vs. LigaSure-7.05 min; P = 0.000) (Primary: Conventional bipolar-97.03 min vs. LigaSure 74.39 min; P = 0.000) (Total: 142.5 min vs. 136.37 min P = 0.002). Mean blood loss (145 ml vs. 141.67 ml; P = 0.846), mean reduction in hemoglobin (0.802 versus 0.752; P = 0.484) and duration of postoperative stay (2.54 days vs. 2.32 days; P = 0.128) were comparable (P > 0.05). None of the participants suffered from any major complication during the surgery or in the postoperative recovery period. Conclusion: With an ability to effectively reduce operating time, LigaSure is a safe and efficient instrument for laparoscopic hysterectomy.
