title: Evaluation of a new ultrasonic device in thyroid surgery: comparative randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conventional techniques for hemostasis during thyroidectomy rely on knot tying, clips, and electrocoagulation. Recently, the Harmonic FOCUS Shear (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc, Cincinnati, OH) was developed for thyroidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 2007 and March 2008, 62 consecutive patients (45 women, 17 men; mean age 50.9 years) undergoing thyroidectomy were randomized into 2 groups: group A, where the FOCUS was used, and group B, where electrocoagulation and clamp-and-tie technique were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 2 groups were similar in terms of age, sex ratio, indication for surgery, and thyroid volume. Operative time was significantly shorter in group A. Significantly fewer clips and ties were used, and postoperative pain and suction balloon amount were also significantly lower in the FOCUS group. The only postoperative complication was a patient with transient hypocalcemia in group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FOCUS is a reliable and safe tool for thyroidectomy. Its utilization is associated with a shorter operative time, less blood loss, and less postoperative pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pisa, Via, Rome 67 56100, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Miccoli
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Materazzi
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miccoli
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frustaci
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fosso
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Berti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*