Prospective randomized study of monopolar scissors, bipolar vessel sealer and ultrasonic shears in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
BACKGROUND
Many instruments are used for laparoscopic dissection, including monopolar electrosurgery scissors (MES), electrothermal bipolar vessel sealers (BVS) and ultrasonically coagulating shears (UCS). These three devices were compared with regard to dissection time, blood loss, safety and costs.


METHODS
Sixty-one consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic left-sided colectomy were randomized to MES, BVS or UCS. The primary endpoint was dissection time.


RESULTS
Patient and operation characteristics did not differ between the groups. Median dissection time was significantly shorter with BVS (105 min) and UCS (90 min) than with MES (137 min) (P < 0.001). With BVS and UCS, significantly fewer additional clips were required (MES 9 versus BVS 0 versus UCS 3; P < 0.001) and there was a trend towards lower blood loss (125 versus 50 versus 50 ml respectively; P = 0.223) and a reduced volume of suction fluid (425 versus 80 versus 110 ml; P = 0.058). Overall satisfaction was similar for the three instruments. Dissection with BVS and UCS was significantly cheaper than with MES, assuming a centre volume of 200 cases per year (P = 0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
BVS and UCS shorten dissection time in laparoscopic left-sided colectomy and are cost-effective compared with MES.
Hubner
M
M
Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
Demartines
N
N
Muller
S
S
Dindo
D
D
Clavien
P-A
PA
Hahnloser
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003082:Colectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments