Dissecting spectra with a SCALPEL

A comparison between cold dissection tonsillectomy with harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy

Introduction: This study aimed to compare operation time, intraoperative bleeding and postoperative pain between cold dissection tonsillectomy and harmonic scalpel tonsillectomy.  Materials and Methods: In this single-blinded clinical trial, 32 patients aged 14–48 were enrolled. Each patient randomly underwent tonsillectomy using the harmonic scalpel on one side and cold dissection on the other...

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy With Harmonic Scalpel

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the "gold standard" in the treatment of symptomatic gallbladder lithiasis. Nevertheless, some pitfalls are associated with the use of the monopolar hook, such as the risk of thermal injuries and biliary complications. By contrast, the ultrasonically activated scalpel, ie, Harmonic (Ethicon Endo Surgery INC - Johnson & Johnson Medical SPA, Somerville, N...

A Scalpel , not a Sledgehammer

Total thyroidectomy with ultrasonic scalpel: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND The ultrasonic scalpel is a recently introduced device in head and neck surgery. Total thyroidectomy is the most common endocrine procedure performed by surgeons. METHODS This was an open, phase IV, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared the use of an ultrasonic scalpel with a conventional technique in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. The outcomes w...

Thyroid surgery with a harmonic scalpel: an experimental study

BACKGROUND The goal of the study was to determinate the safety of the harmonic scalpel, widely used in thyroidectomy, near the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). METHODS The study involved ten pigs of either sex. Twenty RLNs at risk were dissected using the new harmonic scalpel FOCUS. The distances between the nerve and the activated instrument were checked with a millimeter ruler. After dissec...