title: Radiofrequency dissection versus 'knot tying' in conventional total thyroidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency dissection in conventional 'open' total thyroidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine patients scheduled for conventional total thyroidectomy were included in a prospective randomised study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a radiofrequency dissection method was used in one group, and a knot tying technique was used in the other.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly fewer surgical instruments and materials were required for the radiofrequency dissection group than the knot tying group (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean operative time, blood loss, post-operative drainage and pain, recurrent palsy, and hypocalcaemia (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiofrequency dissection is a safe alternative to the knot tying technique, and enables a significant reduction in the number of surgical instruments required for the operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Haseki Research and Training Hospital,Istanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ozkul
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Haseki Research and Training Hospital,Istanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Açikalin
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Susehri State Hospital,Sivas,Turkey.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Balikci
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Haseki Research and Training Hospital,Istanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bayram
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Haseki Research and Training Hospital,Istanbul,Turkey.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bayram
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome