Thyroid surgery: use of the LigaSure Vessel Sealing System versus conventional knot tying.

BACKGROUND The aim of this work is to compare the use of conventional knot tying vs. LigaSuretrade mark Vessel Sealing System (Valley Lab, Boulder, CO) in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. We hypothesized that use of the LigaSure would reduce operating time while resulting in a similar rate of complications. METHODS This study was conducted in Endocrine Surgery Unit, Mansoura University Hospital on patients who underwent thyroid surgery from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. One hundred and ten patients were operated upon by the same team of surgeons using conventional knot tying in 55 and the LigaSure in 55 patients for hemostasis. The medical records of the patients enrolled were reviewed and compared regarding age, sex, histopathological diagnosis, type of operation performed (lobectomy vs. subtotal thyroidectomy vs. total thyroidectomy), operating time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, length of incision, hospital stay and cost, postoperative pain and outcome evaluation. RESULTS The two groups had similar demographics, thyroid pathology, types of operations and complication rates. The LigaSure group had lower operating times, lower intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative pain and early pain-free return to normal activity and return to work. CONCLUSION The LigaSure Vessel Sealing System was as safe as conventional knot tying for thyroidectomy, with the benefit of reduced operating time, postoperative pain severity and early pain-free return to normal activity and return to work.