title: LigaSure versus conventional dissection technique in pancreatoduodenectomy: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pancreatic surgery requires extensive preparation and tissue dissection. Therefore, LigaSure (Valleylab, Boulder, CO) provides an alternative to conventional dissection techniques. The aim of the present study was to describe the feasibility, safety, and cost efficiency of LigaSure in pancreatoduodenectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients underwent surgery with the Ligasure and 7 patients underwent surgery with conventional dissection techniques. The patients were investigated for surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, complications, mortality, duration of hospital stay, and surgery-related costs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surgical time was 207 minutes in the LigaSure group and 255 minutes in the conventional group (P = .020). Intraoperative blood loss was 271 and 771 mL, respectively (P = .010). Other perioperative outcomes were comparable. The respective surgery-related costs averaged €4,125 and €4,931 (P = .023).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of LigaSure in pancreatoduodenectomy seems to be feasible and safe. In addition, it might lead to a reduction in the surgery-related costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Abdominal and Transplant Surgery, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gehrig
authors.forename: Beat P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Müller-Stich
authors.forename: Hannes
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kenngott
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Arianeb
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehrabi
authors.forename: Markus W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Büchler
authors.forename: Carsten N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Gutt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome