Clamp-Crush Technique Versus Harmonic Scalpel for Hepatic Parenchymal Transection in Living Donor Hepatectomy: a Randomized Controlled Trial

An umbrella review of the surgical performance of Harmonic ultrasonic devices and impact on patient outcomes

BACKGROUND

For thirty years, the Harmonic scalpel has been used for precise dissection, sealing and transection. There are numerous meta-analyses on individual surgical procedures with Harmonic, but no overarching review covering all the areas. This umbrella review seeks to summarize the clinical results from the use of Harmonic across surgical fields and broadly quantify its effects on patient outcomes.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Databases were searched for meta-analyses (MAs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Harmonic devices to conventional techniques or advanced bipolar (ABP) devices. For each procedure type, the most comprehensive MAs were evaluated. RCTs not already analysed in a MA were also included. Operating time, length of stay, intraoperative blood loss, drainage volume, pain, and overall complications were evaluated, and the methodological quality and certainty of evidence were assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty-four systematic literature reviews were identified on colectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, gastrectomy, mastectomy, flap harvesting, cholecystectomy, thyroidectomy, tonsillectomy, and neck dissection. There were also 83 RCTs included. In every MA evaluated, Harmonic devices were associated with either statistically significant or numerical improvements in every outcome compared with conventional techniques; most MAs reported a reduction in operating time of ≥ 25 min. Harmonic versus ABP device MAs in colectomy and thyroidectomy showed no significant differences in outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Across surgical procedures, Harmonic devices demonstrated improved patient outcomes for operating time, length of stay, intraoperative bleeding, drainage volume, pain, and overall complications compared to conventional techniques. Additional studies are required to assess differences between Harmonic and ABP devices.

Experience and outcomes in living donor liver procurement using the water jet scalpel

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to clarify treatment outcomes of living donor liver procurement using the water jet scalpel (WJS).

METHODS

This single-center, retrospective cohort study included 40 living donors who underwent liver procurement from January 2014 to December 2018. One living donor who underwent posterior segmentectomy was excluded. Clinical data and outcomes after surgery for 20 WJS donors and 19 Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) donors were compared.

RESULTS

Preoperative and excised graft data did not differ significantly between the WJS and CUSA groups. Operation time (P = 0.025) and parenchymal transection time (P = 0.007) were significantly shorter in the WJS group. There was no difference between the groups in terms of short-term outcomes after surgery. Multivariate analysis revealed that WJS offered significant advantages over CUSA in terms of shortening parenchymal transection time (P = 0.017).

CONCLUSION

Living donor liver procurement using WJS contributes to shortening of parenchymal transection time while maintaining the same level of safety as when using CUSA.