title: The THUNDERBEAT system for tissue dissection and vascular control in laparoscopic splenectomy.
abstract: The advent of new energy sources for hemostasis has greatly facilitated advanced laparoscopic procedures. We describe a straightforward technique of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) accomplished using the THUNDERBEAT™ system (TS) (Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Tokyo, Japan) as the sole means of tissue dissection and hemostasis in two patients aged 19 and 6 years, respectively. The specimens were removed intact via a Pfannenstiel incision. Total operative time was 165 and 150 min, and length of hospital stay was three and 4 d, respectively. The TS is an appealing and reliable alternative to currently available energy devices, allowing fast dissection and secure hemostasis during laparoscopic splenectomy.
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Surgery Unit , Policlinico Umberto, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ceccanti
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Surgery Unit , Policlinico Umberto, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Falconi
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Surgery Unit , Policlinico Umberto, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frediani
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Surgery Unit , Policlinico Umberto, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boscarelli
authors.affiliation: b Emergency Department , Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Catani
authors.affiliation: a Pediatric Surgery Unit , Policlinico Umberto, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Denis A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cozzi
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D004210:Dissection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D061646:Operative Time; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Laparoscopic splenectomy; THUNDERBEATTM system; children; three-trocar technique; vessel sealing device