Tissue response to surgical energy devices.
OBJECTIVE
There is little data available on the effects of energy-based surgical devices (ESD) on tissues other than arteries and veins. As such, we quantified the lateral thermal damage associated with contemporary ESD: the Harmonic ACE, a prototype bipolar device known as the Gyrus Trisector, the Harmonic LCS-C5, and the LigaSure V.


METHODS
We divided 24 domestic pigs into 4 groups, 1 group for each ESD tested. Segments of bladder, stomach, small bowel, colon, ureter, peritoneum, arteries, and veins were exposed to each ESD. The tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and evaluated by an experienced pathologist to quantitate the lateral energy spread associated with each device. We measured blade temperatures of each device using the IR-Flex thermal camera.


RESULTS
The Trisector developed the lowest mean blade temperature (97.84 degrees F), whereas the LigaSure's was the second lowest (103.14 degrees F). The ACE and LCS-C5 created the highest blade temperatures, measuring 220.5 degrees F and 205.6 degrees F, respectively. The Trisector's mean full thickness and superficial lateral energy damage were 6.3 mm and 7.0 mm, respectively, whereas the Ligasure's was 4.5 mm and 5.9 mm, respectively. For the ACE, however, mean full thickness and superficial energy spread were 2.4 mm and 2.8 mm, respectively, whereas the LCS-C5's were 3.1 mm and 4.3 mm, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The Harmonic ACE and LCS-C5 produced the least thermal damage in the tissues tested. ESD-associated tissue energy damage is not directly related to blade temperature, but is likely the result of several factors including blade temperature, transection time, tissue properties, and the vascularity of each transected tissue.
Phillips
Courtney K
CK
Department of Urology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Hruby
Gregory W
GW
Durak
Evren
E
Lehman
Daniel S
DS
Humphrey
Peter A
PA
Mansukhani
Mahesh M
MM
Landman
Jaime
J
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013552:Swine; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*