title: A prospective observational study of 363 cases operated with three different harmonic scalpels.
abstract: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Harmonic ACE, Harmonic FOCUS and harmonic scalpel with 5-mm curved blade in head and neck surgery. During a 15-month period, we performed 295 thyroidectomies, 23 parotidectomies and 45 tonsillectomies using the harmonic scalpel. Control group consisted of 106 thyroidectomies, 9 parotidectomies and 30 tonsillectomies performed with the use of conventional hemostatic techniques. The use of both Harmonic ACE and Harmonic FOCUS scalpel reduced the time of thyroid and parotid surgery by 20-25%. The use of Harmonic ACE reduced the mean time of tonsillectomy, while the use of 5-mm curved blade had no significant effect. Postoperative pain and complication rate were comparable for both the groups. In conclusion, the use of both Harmonic ACE and Harmonic FOCUS devices significantly reduces operative time in the head and neck procedures and enables a smaller neck skin incision in thyroidectomy.
authors.affiliation: University Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Zagreb University Hospital Center, Kispatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. predstojnik_orl@kbc-zagreb.hr
authors.forename: Drago
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prgomet
authors.forename: Sasa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janjanin
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bilić
authors.forename: Ratko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prstacić
authors.forename: Lana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kovac
authors.forename: Mihael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rudes
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Katić
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014465:Ultrasonics; D055815:Young Adult