title: Electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is a safe and time-saving alternative to classic suture ligation in total thyroidectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Total thyroidectomy is associated with minimal morbidity. The electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is an adjunct to the surgical technique, recently made available to thyroid surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective randomized trial of total thyroidectomies performed in single unit from July 2003 to May 2004. Patients were randomly assigned in two groups: group A (n = 90), total thyroidectomy with the classic suture ligation technique; and group B (n = 94), total thyroidectomy with the use of the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Operative time was significantly reduced in group B by 14 minutes (mean difference, 14.3 +/- 4.2 minutes, 95% CI, 5.88-22.6 minutes). No statistically significant differences were found in postoperative complications, postoperative serum calcium measurements, or hospital stay between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is a safe and useful, time-saving adjunct for total thyroidectomy.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Propaedeutic Surgery, Hippocrateion Hospital, Athens Medical School, Q. Sophia114, 11527, Athens, Greece. amanouras@hippocratio.gr
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manouras
authors.forename: Emmanuel E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Lagoudianakis
authors.forename: Pantelis T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Antonakis
authors.forename: George M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Filippakis
authors.forename: Haridimos
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Markogiannakis
authors.forename: Panagiotis B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Kekis
mesh_terms: D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome