ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Chirurgica 2008 December;63(6):455-60

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Electrothermal bipolar energy-based device in laparoscopic right colectomy: our experience

Guerrieri M., Sanctis A., Baldarelli M., Nisi M., Rimini M., Coletta M., Campagnacci R.

General Surgery and Surgery Methodology Clinic Polytechnic University of Marche Hospitals of Ancona, Ancona, Italy

Aim. Aim of the present study was to evaluate effectiveness of bipolar electrothermal energy in laparoscopic right colectomy, both for vascular pedicle ligature and dissecting ma-noeuvres.
Methods. Eighty-nine consecutive unselected patients underwent laparoscopic right colectomy between 2003 and 2006. All procedures were performed or supervised by the same surgical team (two staff of surgeons). Forty-four laparoscopic right colectomy were carried out with ultrasonic coagulating shears (UCS), (group 1) and forty-five by means of electrothermal bipolar atlas (EBA), (group 2). Intraoperative bleeding and postoperative blood loss, operating time, complication and hospital stay have been investigated within two groups.
Results. No mortality and no major intraoperative were reported in both series. A conversion to open surgery occurred in one case in both groups. A duodenal perforation occurred in UCS group as major postoperative complication. Comparing 1 and 2 series statistically significant differences were found concerning mean operating time (122.7 vs 98.4) and blood loss (220 vs 115 mL), with a P value <0.05.
Conclusion. Both UCS and EBA devices were safe and effective in performing laparoscopic right colectomy. However, EBA did allow a statistically significant shorter operative time and bleeding/blood loss, tracing back its effectiveness in vessel sealing and dissection.