title: Neck dissection with the harmonic scalpel in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.
abstract: Our purpose was to evaluate the use of the Harmonic scalpel in neck dissections.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomized prospective intervention study to compare the Harmonic scalpel (32 patients) with the conventional technique (31 patients).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Operative time was lowered by 64 min (p < 0.001) and 7.5 min (p = 0.367); blood lost during surgery was lowered by 80.5 ml (p < 0.001) and 76.6 ml (p < 0.001); the length of time the drains were kept in place was lowered by 1.3 days (p < 0.001) and 1.5 days (p < 0.01); and the volume of drainage was lower by 228.7 ml (p < 0.001) and 187.6 ml (p < 0.01) in selective and comprehensive neck dissections respectively in patients treated with the Harmonic scalpel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Harmonic scalpel shortens operative time in selective dissections. It reduces blood loss during surgery; time drains are kept in place and the amount of drainage in comprehensive and selective neck dissections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: A. Dean), "Reina Sofía" University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain. Electronic address: adeanferrer@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: A. Dean), "Reina Sofía" University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alamillos
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: A. Dean), "Reina Sofía" University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Centella
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: A. Dean), "Reina Sofía" University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García-Álvarez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000145:classification / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D061646:Operative Time; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D059708:Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: Comprehensive neck dissection; Neck dissection; Selective neck dissection; Squamous cell carcinoma; Surgical treatment for squamous cell carcinoma