title: New technique using an energy-based device versus conventional technique in open thyroidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thyroid surgery is a common basic procedure in otorhinolaryngology. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of using a new LigaSure(®) vessel sealing system (LigaSure(®) Small Jaw Instrument; Covidien, Boulder, CO, USA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 83 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between July 2009 and June 2012. The patients were allocated to two groups, which underwent thyroid surgery using either the LigaSure(®) Small Jaw Instrument or conventional techniques. We investigated the duration of operation, estimated blood loss, pathological characteristics, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay. As for duration of operation and estimated blood loss, we also performed analyses by subgroups according to the extent of thyroid resection, as either total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study groups showed no significant differences in age, sex, indications, extent of operation and estimated blood loss. Complication rates for recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, hypoparathyroidism, hematoma, and wound infection did not differ between groups, except for temporary hypoparathyroidism. Operation time was significantly shorter in the LigaSure(®) Small Jaw Instrument group than in the conventional group for all extents of thyroid resection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the LigaSure(®) Small Jaw Instrument seems likely to reduce the operating time for thyroid surgery without increasing estimated blood loss or the frequency of postoperative complications compared to conventional techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan. a-kuboki@dokkyomed.ac.jp
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuboki
authors.forename: Tsuguhisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Wataru
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Konno
authors.forename: Kazutaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Itsuo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanaya
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hirabayashi
authors.forename: Shin-Ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haruna
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D007902:Length of Stay; D008026:Ligation / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Blood loss; Complications; LigaSure(®) Small Jaw Instrument; Operating time; Thyroid surgery