BiClamp forceps significantly shorten the operation time for breast surgery.
OBJECTIVE
A novel approach was introduced for breast surgery using the BiClamp, a new bipolar thermal energy device, to avoid complications and to shorten the time required for the dissection of the axillary lymph nodes.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients with early breast cancer were assessed. The surgical parameters were compared between the procedures performed using the BiClamp technique (n = 14) and conventional surgery with suture ligation (n = 22). The parameters included the operation time, blood loss, and discharge on the first postoperative day. In addition, each of those parameters was compared between the patients with a high body mass index (BMI) (>22) and a low BMI (< or =22). The sealed vessels were examined histologically and heat-associated morphological vessel wall alterations were evaluated.


RESULTS
The operation time was significantly shorter in the BiClamp group than in the control group (P = 0.017, 90 +/- 18 vs 115 +/- 33 min). In addition, the blood loss in the BiClamp group tended to be smaller than in the control group, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.54, 61 +/- 47 vs 74 +/- 67 g). No other parameters showed any significant differences between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The BiClamp thermofusion technique was safe and useful in breast surgery involving axillary dissection.
Takeuchi
Hideki
H
Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan.
Saeki
Toshiaki
T
Shigekawa
Takashi
T
Sano
Hiroshi
H
Nakamiya
Noriko
N
Matsuura
Kazuo
K
Misumi
Misono
M
Takahashi
Takao
T
Fujiuchi
Nobuko
N
Okubo
Katsuhiko
K
Osaki
Akihiko
A
Sakurai
Takaki
T
Koyama
Isamu
I
D001365:Axilla / Q000601:surgery; D001940:Breast / Q000601:surgery*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome