Comparison of Lateral Thermal Spread Using Monopolar and Bipolar Diathermy, and the Bipolar Vessel Sealing System ThermoStapler™ During Thyroidectomy

Comparison of 980-nm/1470-nm Dual-Wavelength Fiber Laser Versus Ultrasonic Scalpel Device in Open Thyroidectomy

Background: To investigate the application value of 980-nm/1470-nm dual-wavelength fiber laser in thyroidectomy. Methods: The clinical data of 130 patients undergoing thyroid surgery from March 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the use types of energy devices, the patients were divided into laser group and ultrasonic scalpel group, with 65 patients in each group. The baseline data, operation-related indicators, operation complications, postoperative pathological conditions, and follow-up results of the two groups were compared. Results: The operations were successfully completed in both groups. The median operative time of total thyroidectomy (TT), lobectomy+central lymph node dissection (CLND), TT+CLND in the laser group were longer than that in the harmonic scalpel group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The incidence of parathyroid gland congestion in the laser group (10.3%) was lower than that in the harmonic scalpel group (19.2%), and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in operative type, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, operative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and lymph node metastasis rate between the two groups (p > 0.05). No incidence was noted of recurrence, metastasis, or death in both groups. Conclusions: The 980-nm/1470-nm dual-wavelength fiber laser had an efficacy in open thyroidectomy similar to that of the harmonic scalpel, was safe and feasible, and less damage to the parathyroid gland blood supply than a scalpel. It can be used as a new option for thyroid surgery.

Measuring thermal spread during bipolar cauterizing using an experimental pneumoperitoneum and thermal sensors

Objective

During nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) bipolar electrocoagulation is often used but its use is controversial for the possible thermal damage of neurovascular bundles. Aim of the study was to evaluate the spatial-temporal thermal distribution in the tissue and the correlation with the electrosurgery-induced tissue damage in a controlled, CO2-rich environment modelling the laparoscopy conditions..

Methods

We manufactured a sealed plexiglass chamber (SPC) equipped with sensors to reproduce experimentally the environmental conditions of pneumoperitoneum during RARP. We evaluated in 64 pig musculofascial tissues (PMTs) of approximately 3 cm³ × 3 cm³ × 2 cm³ the spatial-temporal thermal distribution in the tissue and the correlation with the electrosurgery-induced tissue damage in a controlled CO2-rich environment modeling the laparoscopy conditions. Critical heat spread of bipolar cauterizing during surgical procedure was assessed by the employment of a compact thermal camera (C2) with a small core sensor (60 × 80 microbolometer array in the range 7-14 μm).

Results

Bipolar instruments used at 30 W showed a thermal spread area of 18 mm² when applied for 2 s and 28 mm² when applied for 4 s. At 60 W, bipolar instruments showed a mean thermal spread and 19 mm² when applied for 2 s; and 21 mm² when applied for 4 s. Finally, histopathological analysis showed that thermal damage is distributed predominantly on the surface rather than in depth.

Conclusions

The application of these results is very interesting for the definition of an accurate use of bipolar cautery during nerve-sparing RARP. It demonstrates the feasibility of using miniaturized thermal sensors, thus addressing the potential for next developments regarding the design of thermal endoscopic devices for robotic use.

Thermal effects of monopolar electrosurgery detected by real-time infrared thermography: an experimental appendectomy study

Background

Monopolar energy (ME) is routinely used in appendectomy. This study aimed to investigate the degree of lateral thermal spread generated by ME and to evaluate the thermal injury sustained by the close-lying tissues.

Methods

Appendectomy with a monopolar Maryland dissector was performed in 8 rabbits (at 30 and 60 W power settings). A high-resolution infrared camera was used to record tissue heating during the intervention. After autopsy macroscopic changes were evaluated and tissue samples were subjected to myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay and histological examination.

Results

No significant differences in the extent of thermal spread, MPO activity and histological signs of inflammation were observed between groups. Regardless of the power settings, the heat spread exceeded 2 cm laterally along the mesoappendix when application time exceeded 3 s. The spread of heat through tubular structures in both groups caused a significant temperature rise in the nearby intestinal loop, resulting in perforation (n = 3) and necrosis (n = 1).

Conclusions

Application time is critical in thermal spread during appendectomy aided by ME. Tubular anatomic structures can enhance thermal injury on distant tissues. The observed effects of ME bear clinical relevance that need further investigation.

Effectiveness of hemostatic agents in thyroid surgery for the prevention of postoperative bleeding

Postoperative bleeding remains one of the most frequent, but rarely life-threatening complications in thyroid surgery. Although arterial bleeding is the main cause of postoperative hemorrhage, most often no actively bleeding vessel can be found during revision. Therefore, the coagulation technique for larger vessels may play a minor role, and hemostatic agents could be of higher importance. In this descriptive, retrospective study, data of 279 patients with thyroid surgery (total of 414 thyroid lobectomies) were collected. We reviewed the electronic medical record by analyzing the histological, operative, laboratory and discharge reports in regards to postoperative bleeding. Of the 414 operated thyroid lobes, 2.4% (n = 10) bled. 1.4% (n = 6) needed reoperation while the other 1.0% (n = 4) could be treated conservatively. Hemostatic patches were applied 286 (69.1%) times. Of the 128 (30.9%) patch-free operated sides, 4.7% (n = 6) suffered postoperative bleeding. Tachosil® alone was used 211 (51.0%) times and bleeding occurred in 1.4% (n = 3). Without statistical significance (p = 0.08) the use of Tachosil® seems to help preventing postoperative bleeding. The combination with other patches doesn’t appear to be more efficient.

Safety and Efficacy of Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation Device in Hemostasis during Thyroidectomy in Comparison with Ultrasonic Scalpel: A Comparative Study

AIM

Ultrasonic scalpel is one of the recent advances in surgical technology. The main limitation of their use is the cost. However, radiofrequency ablation device is a refined type of electrosurgical cautery that can be used with conventional reusable bipolar cautery forceps. This study aims to compare the efficacy of bipolar radiofrequency ablation device that can be used with conventional reusable bipolar cautery forceps for hemostasis and dissection during thyroidectomy with that of ultrasonic scalpel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients underwent total thyroidectomy were recruited at Alshiffa General Hospital, Basrah, Iraq from March 2016 to June 2017. The participants were divided into two equal groups: in the first group thyroid dissection was done with ultrasonic scalpel, and in the second group thyroid dissection was done with bipolar radiofrequency ablation device. Outcome and complications of both procedures were analyzed statistically and compared.

RESULTS

The bipolar radiofrequency ablation device significantly reduced the mean operative time by (-15.35 min) in comparison to ultrasonic scalpel. The Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation Device (BRFA) group reported a mean operative time of 50.13 ± 14.16 compared to 65.49 ± 7.78 in the US group with, P value = 0.001. There was no statistically significant difference in the other outcome parameters and the rate of complications reported between the two devices during this study.

CONCLUSION

The bipolar radiofrequency ablation device that can be used with conventional reusable bipolar cautery forceps is a simple, safe, and time-saving adjunct for thyroid surgeries and equally effective as compared to costly instruments like ultrasonic scalpel.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The bipolar radiofrequency device can be used in thyroid surgery to secure hemostasis, save time, and cost.

Effect of LigaSure™, Monopolar Cautery, and Bipolar Cautery on Surgical Margins in Breast-Conserving Surgery

Background

We compared the differences in thermal damage at the surgical margin between monopolar cautery, bipolar cautery, and LigaSure™ in breast cancer lumpectomy specimens and assessed the effect of these techniques on the evaluation of the surgical margins.

Methods

30 patients scheduled for breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer were included in this study. During lumpectomy, each of the superior, inferior, lateral, and medial borders of the tumour was excised using one of the following: a scalpel, monopolar cautery, bipolar cautery, and LigaSure technology. The surgical margins of frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the lumpectomy specimen were evaluated. Thermal damage was defined as the maximum depth of thermal damage (in mm) from the surgical margin, and the level was categorized as none, low (≤1 mm), or high (>1 mm).

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between monopolar cautery, bipolar cautery, and LigaSure in terms of thermal damage. There was no thermal damage at the surgical margin in tissues dissected by scalpel.

Conclusion

Thermal damage due to the excision method may cause false-negative and false-positive results in the surgical margin evaluation of lumpectomy specimens. More research is needed on the effects of different energy modalities on surgical margin evaluation in breast-conserving surgery.

Comparative analysis between a bipolar vessel sealing and cutting device and the tie and suture technique in thyroidectomy: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Advanced bipolar and ultrasonic devices have shown significant reduction in the surgical time of thyroid operations. This randomized, controlled trial assessed if operative time and other relevant outcomes are different for thyroidectomies performed either with a second-generation advanced bipolar device or traditional tie and suture technique.

METHODS

Forty-one patients were randomized into 2 groups (advanced bipolar device and traditional tie and suture). Secondary end points included estimated blood loss, postoperative hemorrhage or hematoma requiring operative reintervention, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hypoparathyroidism, pain intensity, number of ligatures, analgesia usage, and loss of signal during recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring.

RESULTS

Preoperative characteristics were similar between both groups. Mean operative time in the advanced bipolar device group was reduced by 32.5 minutes compared with the traditional tie and suture group (P = .006). Intraoperative blood loss was similar in both groups. Four patients presented postoperative vocal cord dysmotility, 3 in the traditional tie and suture group and 1 in the advanced bipolar device group (P = ns). Two of these 4 patients also had a >50% amplitude decrease during continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring, 1 in each group. Pain intensity, 12 hours after operation, was significantly greater in the traditional tie and suture group (P = .015), even though pain medication requirements during the initial 24 hours after operation were similar between groups (P = .97). There were no cases of postoperative hemorrhage or hematoma requiring reintervention. Postoperative, symptomatic hypocalcemia occurred in 6 patients, 4 in the traditional tie and suture, and 2 in the advanced bipolar device group. One of them developed permanent hypocalcemia.

CONCLUSION

The use of an advanced bipolar device in thyroid operation reduces operative time by >30 minutes, with a similar postoperative outcome profile when compared with the traditional tie and suture technique.

Genitofemoral neuropathy after pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with uterine corpus cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence, etiology, and outcomes of genitofemoral neuropathy after pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLD) for uterine corpus cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of women who underwent PLD for uterine corpus cancer between June 2001 and June 2013 were reviewed. Information regarding neuropathy was directly reported by each subject.

RESULTS

Thirty-two of 300 patients undergoing PLD during the defined period experienced postoperative neuropathy due to genitofemoral nerve injury, for an incidence of 10.7%. The patients treated with PLD with para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PALD) exhibited a lower rate of genitofemoral neuropathy than those treated without PALD (4.3% vs 13.5%, P = 0.01). The laparoscopy group displayed a higher rate of genitofemoral neuropathy than the laparotomy group (19.1% vs 9.1%, P = 0.04). A total of 81.3% of the patients experienced a full recovery, with a medium time to resolution of 6 months (3-12 months). The administration of adjuvant chemotherapy, including paclitaxel, did not extend the time to recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuropathy resulting from genitofemoral nerve injury is not infrequent; however, most of the patients recover completely. In this study, the use of laparoscopic procedures increased the incidence of genitofemoral neuropathy, whereas that of PALD did not.

Lateral temperature spread of monopolar, bipolar and ultrasonic instruments for robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery

OBJECTIVE

To assess critical heat spread of cautery instruments used in robot-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thermal spread along bovine musculofascial tissues was examined by infrared camera, histology and enzyme assay. Currently used monopolar, bipolar and ultrasonic laparoscopic instruments were investigated at various power settings and application times. The efficacy of using an additional Maryland clamp as a heat sink was evaluated. A temperature of 45 °C was considered the threshold temperature for possible nerve damage.

RESULTS

Monopolar instruments exhibited a mean (sem) critical thermal spread of 3.5 (2.3) mm when applied at 60 W for 1 s. After 2 s, the spread was >20 mm. For adjustable bipolar instruments the mean (sem) critical thermal spread was 2.2 (0.6) mm at 60 W and 1 s, and 3.6 (1.3) mm at 2 s. The PK and LigaSure forceps had mean (sem) critical thermal spreads of 3.9 (0.8) and 2.8 (0.6) mm respectively, whereas the ultrasonic instrument reached 2.9 (0.8) mm. Application of an additional Maryland clamp as a heat sink, significantly reduced the thermal spread. Histomorphometric analyses and enzyme assay supported these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

All coagulation devices used in RAL surgery have distinct thermal spreads depending on power setting and application time. Cautery may be of concern due to lateral temperature spread, causing potential damage to sensitive structures including nerves. Our results provide surgeons with a resource for educated decision-making when using coagulation devices during robotic procedures.