title: The use of the harmonic scalpel to reduce morbidity during open total abdominal hysterectomies with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH/BSO).
abstract: The ultrasonic scalpel (USS) is a hemostatic surgical instrument used for incising and dissecting tissues. It works by using ultrasonic waves to denature collagen forming a coagulum. This study was designed to examine the effectiveness of the ultrasonic scalpel in open total abdominal hysterectomies with bilateral salpingo-oophrectomies.This study was a nonrandomized study, with 16 cases of total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy being done with the ultrasonic scalpel, and 21 cases being done with the traditional methods of dissection and ligation. The 2 groups were compared in terms of intraoperative blood loss, time, and cost, as well as in terms of postoperative complication and length of stay.Demographically, no significant differences in age or weight existed among the patients in the 2 operative groups. (p = 0.71, p = 0.64, respectively). A statistically significant reduction did occur in the estimated blood loss with the use of the harmonic scalpel (p = 0.05). No significant differences existed between the 2 patient groups in terms of operative time (p = 0.77), intraoperative costs (p = 0.11), or length of hospital stay (p = 0.45). However, 52% of the patients in the traditional method group suffered from postoperative complications that included acute myocardial infarction (N = 1), ileus (N = 5), urinary retention (N = 1), urinary incontinence (N = 1), respiratory failure (N = 1), and failure to thrive (N = 1). Only 25% of the patients undergoing the USS resection suffered from complications. These complications included urinary retention (N = 2), respiratory failure (N = 1), and ileus (N = 1).A statistically significant reduction occurred in estimated blood loss with the use of the USS (p < 0.05). There is also decreased intraoperative time, as well as decreased postoperative complications and length of stay in this same group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Also, more complications are reported in the traditional resection group (62% compared with 31%). It would be beneficial to accrue a higher patient population and study the use of the USS in this procedure as well as other open abdominal procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grassie
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Makii