Harmonic scalpel versus conventional hemostasis: Impacts on thyroid surgery outcomes
Yaşar Kemal Duymaz1, Ahmet Adnan Cırık1, Büşra Balcıoğlu1, Şamil Şahin2, Burak Erkmen2
1Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Ümraniye Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz Hastalıkları Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Kulak Burun Boğaz Hastalıkları Bölümü, Özel Muayenehane, İstanbul, Türkiye
Keywords: Complications, harmonic scalpel, hemostasis, operating time, thyroidectomy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of the harmonic scalpel and traditional methods.
METHODS: In this retrospective study data from 180 patients (132 females, 48 males; mean age: 49.1±14.2 years; range, 18 to 86 years) who underwent total thyroidectomy between January 2015 and December 2022 were analyzed. Age, sex, diagnosis, thyroid size, operative time, hospital stay, and complications were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups based on the hemostasis method: harmonic scalpel and conventional methods. All surgeries were performed under general anesthesia with the same surgical teams.
RESULTS: The harmonic scalpel group demonstrated a lower incidence of hypocalcemia and shorter operation times compared to the conventional method group. No significant differences were found in vocal cord paralysis, hematoma, seroma, and wound infection rates between the groups. The harmonic scalpel was associated with a shorter mean hospital stay.
CONCLUSION: The harmonic scalpel presents itself as a viable alternative in thyroid surgery, offering shorter operation times and hospital stays with a reduced rate of hypocalcemia.