Use of the vessel sealing system in tracheostomy.

BACKGROUND Tracheostomy is a frequent, and at times semiurgent, surgical procedure. It is performed in close proximity to the thyroid gland, and in many cases requires division of its isthmus, putting a patient in danger of significant bleeding. OBJECTIVES To examine prospectively the feasibility of vessel sealing in tracheostomy. METHODS A vessel-seating device was used in 24 consecutive patients undergoing tracheostomy. There were no exclusion criteria for enrolling the patients. No other hemostatic technique was used for dividing the isthmus. RESULTS There were no bleeding events throughout the postoperative period. The operating time saving was 5-10 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Use of the vessel sealer was found to be straightforward, efficacious, rapid and safe.