title: Comparison of thermal spread after ureteral ligation with the Laparo-Sonic ultrasonic shears and the Ligasure system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The extent of lateral spread of tissue injury is important in the success of a primary anastomosis. We compared the injury produced by the Laparo-sonic Coagulation Shears and the Ligasure system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ureters were harvested from domestic farm pigs and ligated with the Laparo-sonic (N = 13) or Ligasure (N = 9) system. The tissues were then fixed, stained, and examined by two pathologists without knowledge of the type of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean length of thermal damage from the Ligasure was 2.11 mm (range 1.0-4.0 mm) whereas it was 1.92 (range 0.5-4.25 mm) from the Laparo-sonic system. The difference is not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Debridement of as much as 5 mm of each cut end produced by the Laparo-sonic or Ligasure system may be beneficial in reducing stricture and leak.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina 28232-2861, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Kristi L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Harold
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lentzner
authors.forename: Brent D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Kent W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Kercher
authors.forename: Ronald F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Sing
authors.forename: Broc
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: Edward H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Lipford
authors.forename: B Todd
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Heniford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D008026:Ligation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013552:Swine; D014513:Ureter / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery