title: A comparison of total thyroidectomies carried out through LigaSure and Harmonic Scalpel: a retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Both LigaSure (LS) and Harmonic Scalpel (HS) are new surgical technologies that have been used to secure hemostasis in various fields of surgery. There is little information in the literature about the use of LS and HS in thyroid surgery. The aim of this study was to report our experience with LS and HS in thyroid surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this nonrandomized retrospective study 326 consecutive patients who underwent primary thyroid surgery were reviewed. HS was used in 136 patients and LS was used in 126 patients. A conventional technique was used in 64 patients. The were 42 male patients (12.9%) and 284 female patients (87.1%); their ages varied between 19 and 72 years (mean 42.8 + 12.4). Data regarding each patient's demographics, thyroid pathology, operation time, and complications were collected throughout the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 3 study groups-had similar demographics (age, female/male ratio) and thyroid pathology. Permanent hypocalcemia developed in 2 (1.6%) patients in the patient group operated on through LS, of which 1 was male and the other was female. In the HS group, postoperative hematoma developed in 2 (1.5%) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this retrospective clinical study showed that LS and HS thyroidectomy can be a useful and fast alternative for conventional thyroidectomy. The main advantage of these devices is that they simplify the procedure and eliminate the need for clips and suture ligations while achieving efficient hemostasis.
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peker
authors.forename: Ayça Tuba
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Dumanli Ozcan
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Şahin
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: İnal
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kiliç
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Özçiçek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055815:Young Adult