Comparison of Harmonic Scalpel versus conventional hemostasis in Thyroid surgery in terms of per-operative and postoperative outcome.

Abstract

Harmonic scalpel is popular for use in a variety of surgical procedures including thyroid surgery. Proposed advantages of the harmonic scalpel include less lateral thermal tissue damage with no electrical energy transferred to the patient, no neuromuscular stimulation, less smoke formation as compared with electrocautery. Objectives: Our aim was to compare outcomes following thyroid surgery in terms of operative time, postoperative pain, drainage volume, recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid gland injury with the use of the Harmonic Scalpel compared to conventional methods of hemostasis. Study Design: Randomized control trial. Setting: Surgical Department Lahore General Hospital. Period: Twelve Months June 2016 to June 2017. Material & Methods: 60 patients, 30 in each group. Patients were randomized in each group by balloting method. Operative time, postoperative pain and drainage volume was assessed during hospital stay. Recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid gland injury was assessed during hospital stay and follow-up. Results: There was no significant difference in development of hoarseness of voice in both groups, p-value > 0.05. The mean operative time for group A was 69.47 ± 15.44 minutes and for group B it was 54.93 ± 11.56 minutes, p-value <0.05. The overall blood loss in group-A and group-B was 118.73 ± 50.72 ml and 44.60±10.70 ml, p-value<0.05. The mean post-op pain observed at 2^nd day for group B was 2.93 ±3.57 and for group A it was 3.57±0.77, p-value < 0.05. Conclusion: Use of Harmonic Scalpel has better results in thyroid surgery in terms of less operative time, less postoperative pain, less drainage volume, while no RLN & parathyroid injury detected in either group.