Off-pump resection of a coronary arterial fistula using the Harmonic Scalpel

Off-pump surgery was performed in a patient with post-infarction angina complicated with aneurysmal coronary-pulmonary arterial fistula. Epicardial echocardiography localized the artery feeding the fistula in the myocardium, which had not been revealed by visual inspection, palpation, or transesophageal echocardiography. The patient underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting concomitant with aneurysmectomy. The feeding arteries were dissected easily using a Harmonic Scalpel and ligated. The flow in the aneurysm disappeared immediately and aneurysmectomy was performed without bleeding.     

Ligasure versus Ultracision® in thyroid surgery: a prospective randomized study

PURPOSE: New hemostatic technologies (NT) are often employed in thyroid surgery in the effort to reduce operating time and complications. The aim of this study is to compare three different hemostatic techniques. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized study. There were 150 patients, aged 56 +/- 14 years, randomized for total thyroidectomy with conventional technique (CT), Ligasure vessel sealing system (LI) or Harmonic Scalpel (HS) at the university surgical department. One hundred thirty-five patients had benign diseases; 15 had malignancies. RESULTS: Mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.6 days. Mean operation time was 113 +/- 31 min; in HS patients, it was significantly shorter (p < 0.001). Morbidity was 43.3%; mortality was nil. Morbidity was significantly different between CT and NT groups (p = 0.0002); HS and LI groups had a higher morbidity (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.02, respectively). Mean postoperative calcemia was 1.12 +/- 0.1 mmol/l with a significant difference between groups; NT patients had a significantly lower calcemia (p < 0.05). There was no difference in recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies and in intraoperative blood losses (p = ns). CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience, the only real advantage of new hemostatic technologies was a shorter operation time with HS.     

超声刀在腹腔镜胆囊切除术中的应用分析 (附120例报告)

目的探讨超声刀在腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)中的应用价值.方法回顾性分析应用超声刀施行LC治疗120例胆囊结石患者的临床资料.结果顺利完成手术115例,中转开腹5例,无胆管损伤、胆漏、大出血等严重并发症,手术时间(65±25)min,术中出血5～35mL,术后引流量(45±10)mL,术后平均住院时间5d平均(4±2)d,所有病例均痊愈出院.结论LC术中应用超声刀出血少,创伤小,能提高LC的安全性和成功率,降低胆道损伤等并发症的发生率,值得临床推广.     

Technology and application of the reusable Olympus Ultrasonic Dissector

Summary

With US scalpels a new era of laparoscopic surgery has begun. We have given instances of the striking advantages of modern ultrasonic dissectors in general, and of the SonoSurg system in particular. Key aspects are reusability, modularity and multi-functionality. Modularity allows for extension of the basic scalpel e.g. to an aspirator, reusability results in cost effectiveness. Nevertheless, ultrasonically activated devices are not limited to the well-known scalpels and aspirators. New technologies such as the SonoSurg ultrasound trocar and combination instruments are currently under development.     

Evaluating the safety of the Harmonic Scalpel around the recurrent laryngeal nerve

Background: The Harmonic Scalpel (HS) is widely used in thyroidectomy. Determining the safety margin of using the HS near the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is helpful in preventing the injury to this nerve during thyroidectomy. Methods: The parameters of evoked electromyography (EEMG) of vocal muscles before and after using the HS at a power level of 3 were recorded in a rabbit model. Masson staining was used to determine lateral injury caused by incisions using the HS. Results: After the activated tip of the HS made contact with the RLN for ≥1 s or was placed 1 mm from the nerve for 3 or 5 s or 2 mm from the nerve for 5 s, significant changes were observed in the minimal stimulus current intensity threshold, the optimal stimulus current intensity threshold, the onset latency and the wave amplitude of EEMG. After the activated HS tip touched the RLN or was placed 1 mm to the nerve for ≥1 s or 2 mm to the nerve for 5 s, significant changes were found in peak latency. The thickness of injured lateral tissue was <1, 1–2 and >2 mm when using HS for 1, 3 and 5 s, respectively. Conclusion: When used near the RLN at a power level of 3, the activated HS tip should be ≥2 mm from the nerve and the duration of incision should be ≤3 s.     

Successful treatment of nasal septum hemangioma with the Harmonic Scalpel: a case report

Hemangioma of the nasal septum, known as “bleeding polyp,” is an occasional lesion in adults. We report two cases of bleeding polyps, that were successfully treated by surgery using the Harmonic Scalpel (HS). Two women (aged 58 and 67 years) presented with unilateral nasal hemangioma, which was revealed by unilateral epistaxis. Both the women were treated by surgical excision using the HS under general and local anesthesia, respectively. Treatment involves surgical excision of the tumor including the mucosa and the underlying perichondrium. HS is an effective tool for the excision of bleeding polyps with less bleeding and less tissue injury.     

Does the ultrasonically activated scalpel release viable airborne cancer cells?

Background: Viable cancer cells may implant at distant sites and cause tumor recurrence. One possible mechanism is the inadvertent exfoliation of viable tumor cells during dissection. The ultrasonically activated scalpel (UAS) uses ultrasonic energy to disrupt tissues by cavitation and produces a dense cloud of cellular debris that may contain viable cells. This study aimed to investigate the viability of airborne cells released during cancer dissection using the UAS and electrosurgery. Methods: Flank tumors (n= 8) measuring 1 cm³ were induced in male WAG rats by subcutaneous injection of 2 × 10⁶ CC531s colon cancer cells. Dissection was performed in cutting mode using the maximum power output of the respective devices. Electrosurgery was performed using a standard monopolar electrosurgical unit and a needle probe, and ultrasonic dissection was performed with the Harmonic Scalpel™ utilising the open surgical handset and the hooked spatula tip. The smoke plume was aspirated by a vacuum pump and bubbled under Hank's balanced salt solution to trap particulate matter. The viability of the cellular material was blindly assessed with the trypan blue test and by in vitro culture. The morphology of the cellular debris was studied by examination of cytospin preparations. Results: Large quantities of cellular debris was trapped in the plume from both devices. However, no viable cells were isolated, nor did in vitro cell growth occur with either device. Examination of the debris from the UAS demonstrated a characteristic mixture of amorphous forms and very few morphologically intact cells. The cauterized tumor produced charred cells and tissue fragments. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that viable airborne cancer cells are not released after tumor ablation with the UAS or electrosurgery. Received: 6 June 1997/Accepted: 20 November 1997     

Spinal Arachnoid Web: A didactic report of two cases with clinical,radiological, surgical and pathological correlations

BackgroundArachnoid web (AW) is a rare but probably underestimated cause of spinal cord injury that is complex to diagnose due to subtle MRI findings and similarities to other better-known diseases such as arachnoid cyst (AC) or transdural spinal cord herniation (TSCH). Increased recognition of AW is mandatory since delay in diagnosis can lead to potentially serious neurological sequelae.Case presentationsWe report two additional cases of AW for didactic purposes, with special emphasis on the distinctive MRI and intraoperative findings. Both patients presented with progressively worsening neurological symptoms, including proprioceptive ataxia, motor weakness, numbness and neuropathic pain. The diagnosis of AW was suspected on the basis of specific MRI criteria, especially the so-called “scalpel sign”. Formal confirmation of the diagnosis was obtained in two patients that were managed surgically. Postoperative follow-up demonstrated significant functional recovery.DiscussionThere is a need for better recognition of AW by the medical community. Careful analysis of MRI semiology is crucial for the distinction between AW, AC and TSCH. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is mandatory to conserve functional prognosis, since appropriate surgical treatment with AW resection is curative, halting or even resolving the neurological symptoms.     

A Prospective Comparison of Scalpel Versus Bipolar Scissors in the Elevation of Radial Forearm Fasciocutaneous Free Flaps

Objectives/Hypothesis The radial forearm fasciocutaneous free flap has become the workhorse for reconstruction of head and neck ablative defects. A location distal to the head and neck allows this flap to be elevated concurrent with the ablation. Most commonly, the flap is elevated under tourniquet control. This involves a primary ischemic insult with a certain amount of hemorrhage after the tourniquet is released. Bipolar scissors are a new method of dissection. They may allow for a speedier dissection with a concomitant decrease in ischemic time. Their hemostatic properties may control hemorrhage after use of the tourniquet. Study Design A prospective study of patients undergoing radial forearm free flaps over a 12‐month period at a tertiary care referral center was undertaken. Results Forty patients were entered into the study, flaps were elevated with scalpel (20) and with bipolar scissors (20). Mean time under tourniquet was 39 minutes (range, 30–56 min) with scalpel compared with 27 minutes (range, 21–31 min) with bipolar scissors (P <.001). Total mean time of elevation (including control of hemostasis and pedicle dissection) for scalpel elevation was 50 minutes (range, 35–61 min) compared with 32 minutes (range, 20–41 min) for bipolar scissors elevation (P <.001). Mean blood loss was 46 mL (range, 15–110 mL) in the scalpel elevation group compared with 14 mL (range, 0–50 mL) in the bipolar scissors elevation group (P <.001). Complications at the donor site were equal between groups. Conclusions Bipolar scissors are a safe, efficient method for elevating radial forearm free flaps.