Analytical study of advantages of harmonic scalpel in thyroid surgery

Abstract

Background: Thyroid surgery is known to its complications post operatively. In recent times this complications are reduced due to expertise in techniques and technologies. One of this is harmonic scalpel in hemostasis proven to reduce blood loss and operative time in various gastrointestinal surgeries. Meticulous hemostasis has and will always be an essential prerequisite for a successful outcome in thyroid surgery. In last twenty years, many reports have evaluated the effectiveness of the Harmonic Scalpel for thyroid surgery and the greater part of these studies have been carried out at European Hospitals. The purpose of this study was to determine the advantages of harmonic scalpel in thyroid surgery in our setup. Now harmonic scalpel is very useful tool in thyroid surgery to minimize operative time, blood loss and post operative complications. Methods: From September 2018 to September 2019 our study has been conducted which includes 33 successive patients undergoing (Hemi/Total) Thyroidectomy procedures and meeting the inclusion criteria in our surgical ward at Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai, India. Results:In our study, mean duration for Hemi thyroidectomy was 63.5 min and for Total thyroidectomy 101.1 min. Mean post operative pain score 1.45±1.43 in which 14 patients had No pain and 14 patients had Mild pain, 5 patients had score 4 or  more. Post operative drainage fluid volume in 1st 24 hrs was 25.4ml and 2nd 24 hrs was 14.4 ml, and 12% patients had transient post operative Hypocalcemia. Conclusion: Harmonic Scalpel is a reliable and safe tool in thyroidectomy. The total drainage fluid volume and surgical operative time is reduced. In addition, the postoperative pain is less and the rate of Post operative transient hypocalcemia is lower.