Utility of bipolar electrocautery scissors for cervical conization.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of bipolar electrocautery scissors for cervical conization. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty patients with severe dysplasia/in situ carcinoma of the uterine cervix underwent cervical conization: 20 randomly selected patients were operated on with the unipolar energy scalpel and the other 20 were operated on with bipolar electrocautery scissors. In both groups operating time, number of ligations, blood loss, duration of recovery, perioperative complications and adequacy of the margins of the lesion were assessed. Data were compared by analysis of variance. RESULTS: In the bipolar group the average operating time and duration of recovery were significantly reduced (halved), no ligations were needed and the amount of blood loss was significantly reduced. Regarding perioperative complications, in the bipolar group there were no hemorrhages nor need of a second operation or transfusion. Infections did not occur in either group. We found no difference between the two groups regarding adequacy of the margins of the lesion for a good pathologic examination. CONCLUSION: Bipolar electrocautery scissors were safe and useful in cervical conization by reducing the operating time and blood loss without increasing postoperative morbidity.

Utility of bipolar electrocautery scissors for abdominal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This was an evaluation of usefulness of bipolar electrocautery scissors for abdominal hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty women with uterine fibromatosis underwent abdominal hysterectomy: 25 randomly selected patients were operated on with conventional technique and the other 25 patients were operated on with bipolar electrocautery scissors. In both groups operating time, number of ligations, and blood loss were assessed. Data were compared by analysis of variance and chi(2) test as appropriate. RESULTS: In the bipolar group the average operating time was 25% shorter than in the conventional group (P <.01), and the number of ligations and the amount of blood loss were significantly reduced (P <.01). There was no increase in the complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar electrocautery scissors were confirmed to be safe and useful for open surgery by reducing the operating time and blood loss without increasing postoperative morbidity. Thus their use would lower the cost of surgery.