Evaluation of a new ultrasonic device in thyroid surgery: comparative randomized study.
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.
Miccoli
Paolo
P
Department of Surgery, University of Pisa, Via, Rome 67 56100, Pisa, Italy.
Materazzi
Gabriele
G
Miccoli
Mario
M
Frustaci
Gianluca
G
Fosso
Alessandra
A
Berti
Piero
P
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*