title: Harmonic Scalpel Versus Electrocautery in Axillary Dissection in Carcinoma Breast.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the results between harmonics scalpel and electrocautery use in axillary dissection for carcinoma breast.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Surgery, Services Hospital, Lahore, from December 2013 to June 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected and equally divided in two groups. Axillary dissection for carcinoma breast was performed by using the harmonic scalpel in one group and by using electrocautery in the other group. Total mean axillary drain output and frequency of axillary numbness were noted in both groups and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the patients were females with mean age of 53.52 ± 9.8. Mean axillary drain output in harmonic scalpel group was 167.75 ± 43.90 as compared to 310.00 ± 60.09 in electrocautery group while only 12.5% of patients were positive for axillary numbness in harmonic scalpel group as compared to 100% of patients who were positive for electrocautery group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of harmonic scalpel in axillary dissection resulted in decreased total mean axillary drain output and lowered frequency of axillary numbness when compared to utilizing electrocautery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Unit 2, Services Institute of Medical Sciences/Services Hospital, Lahore.
authors.forename: Allah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nawaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Unit 2, Services Institute of Medical Sciences/Services Hospital, Lahore.
authors.forename: Sadaf
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waqar
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Unit 2, Services Institute of Medical Sciences/Services Hospital, Lahore.
authors.forename: Ahsan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Unit 2, Services Institute of Medical Sciences/Services Hospital, Lahore.
authors.forename: Rashid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mansoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Unit 2, Services Institute of Medical Sciences/Services Hospital, Lahore.
authors.forename: Usman Ismat
authors.initials: UI
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Unit 2, Services Institute of Medical Sciences/Services Hospital, Lahore.
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ayyaz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome