1. A prospective observational study of 363 cases operated with three different harmonic scalpels
- Author
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Vladimir Katić, Lana Kovač, Ratko Prstačić, Saša Janjanin, Drago Prgomet, Mario Bilić, and Mihael Rudeš
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,harmonic scalpel ,ultrasonic scalpel ,ultracision ,electrocautery ,hemostasis ,thyroidectomy ,parotidectomy ,tonsillectomy ,recurrent nerve ,facial nerve ,thyroid and parotid surgery ,Adolescent ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Young Adult ,medicine ,Recurrent laryngeal nerve ,Harmonic scalpel ,Humans ,Ultrasonics ,Child ,Aged ,Tonsillectomy ,Aged, 80 and over ,Parathyroidectomy ,business.industry ,Thyroidectomy ,Equipment Design ,General Medicine ,Parotidectomy ,Middle Aged ,Surgical Instruments ,Hemostasis, Surgical ,Surgery ,Treatment Outcome ,Otorhinolaryngology ,Harmonic ,Head and neck surgery ,Female ,business - Abstract
The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Harmonic ACE™, Harmonic FOCUS™ and harmonic scalpel with 5-mm curved blade in head and neck surgery. During a 15-month period, we performed 295 thyroidectomies, 23 parotidectomies and 45 tonsillectomies using the harmonic scalpel. Control group consisted of 106 thyroidectomies, 9 parotidectomies and 30 tonsillectomies performed with the use of conventional hemostatic techniques. The use of both Harmonic ACE™ and Harmonic FOCUS™ scalpel reduced the time of thyroid and parotid surgery by 20–25%. The use of Harmonic ACE™ reduced the mean time of tonsillectomy, while the use of 5-mm curved blade had no significant effect. Postoperative pain and complication rate were comparable for both the groups. In conclusion, the use of both Harmonic ACE™ and Harmonic FOCUS™ devices significantly reduces operative time in the head and neck procedures and enables a smaller neck skin incision in thyroidectomy.
- Published
- 2009
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