An Innovative Bipolar Instrument for Laparoscopic Surgery

OBJECTIVE Bipolar electrosurgery is an excellent method for obtaining hemostasis at laparoscopy. The present study describes and evaluates a bipolar device that can be more versatile and cost effective in advanced operative procedures than the traditional instrumentation. METHODS This was a retrospective, case-controlled analysis of bipolar instrumentation with a design classification of II-2. A single surgeon in a private practice setting performed all procedures. Sixteen patients, matched for age and pathology were evaluated by videotape review to determine the comparative efficiency of the BiCOAG bipolar dissector/grasper versus traditional Kleppinger bipolar forceps. Efficiency here is defined as comparative operating times in each group. RESULTS The number of instrument changes per case was counted because this appeared to be the only variable other than time that differentiated the 2 groups. The BiCOAG bipolar dissector/grasper device group had 4 times fewer instrument changes and significantly decreased operating room times when compared with that of the Kleppinger forceps group. Because cost per unit of operating room time was a constant figure, the decrease in cost that resulted due to the decrease in operating time is considered a cost-effective measure. CONCLUSIONS The BiCOAG bipolar dissector/grasper is a cost-effective, efficient instrument for use in operative laparoscopic procedures.