title: VIO soft-coagulation system for major pulmonary resections: results in 68 patients with primary lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The VIO soft-coagulation system is a new device for tissue coagulation in which the output voltage is automatically regulated. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of this system for major pulmonary resection of lung cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used bipolar VIO soft-coagulation for major pulmonary resection in 68 patients with primary lung cancer using the following three surgical procedures: (1) coagulation of the tissues around lobar vessels and bronchus; (2) fissure dissection; (3) lymph node dissection. The dissection in those steps was performed with both bipolar VIO soft-coagulation forceps and scissors. Results were analyzed with special reference to intraoperative complications, blood loss, and postoperative morbidity. The data in this study (VIO group) were compared with those of 78 lung cancer patients who underwent surgery using conventional electrocautery (CE group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The operations in this series included 60 lobectomies, 1 bilobectomy, 1 pneumonectomy, and 6 segmentectomies. With the VIO soft-coagulation system, coagulation of tissues around the lobar pulmonary vessels without injury to the pulmonary vessels or bronchus was effective. The mean blood loss in the VIO group was 90.6 g (range 5-595 g), which was significantly lower than that in the CE group (mean 141.0 g, range 5-700 g) (P = 0.014). Postoperative morbidity rates in the VIO and the CE group were 11.7% and 17.9%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VIO soft-coagulation system is safe and feasible for major pulmonary resections in patients with lung cancer.
authors: Department of Surgery, Kyushu Koseinenkin Hospital, 1-8-1 Kishinoura, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 806-8501, Japan. akihiko.uchiyama@qkn-hosp.jp
authors: Akihiko
authors: A
authors: Uchiyama
authors: Kei
authors: K
authors: Miyoshi
authors: Katsuya
authors: K
authors: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome