Comparison of thermal spread after ureteral ligation with the Laparo-Sonic ultrasonic shears and the Ligasure system.
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.
Goldstein
Sharon L
SL
Department of General Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina 28232-2861, USA.
Harold
Kristi L
KL
Lentzner
Alan
A
Matthews
Brent D
BD
Kercher
Kent W
KW
Sing
Ronald F
RF
Pratt
Broc
B
Lipford
Edward H
EH
Heniford
B Todd
BT
D000818:Animals; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D008026:Ligation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013552:Swine; D014513:Ureter / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery