Objective. A retrospective study to evaluate the Thunderbeat, a new vessel sealing device in a small group of patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy to test the safety and effectiveness in achieving hemostasis. Method. The Thunderbeat was used in 12 cases of total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Operative performance involving hemostasis, sealing/coagulation, cutting, dissection, and tissue manipulation was evaluated. Results. No complications were encountered intraoperatively and postoperatively. Intraoperative experience involving hemostasis, sealing/coagulation, and cutting was optimal. Tissue handling was acceptable except for fine dissection. Conclusion. The Thunderbeat is an efficient and safe alternative to standard bipolar in laparoscopic hysterectomy. Larger studies are required to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and significant reduction in operating times as compared to conventional bipolar energy.
SUMMARYA 23-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 0, presented at 8 weeks gestation with a spontaneously conceived triplet cornual ectopic pregnancy. She was at high risk of ectopic pregnancy as she had been previously treated for pelvic inflammatory disease and had also undergone laparoscopic salpingostomy for right-sided ectopic pregnancy. She was clinically stable and her abdomen was soft and non-tender. The diagnosis was made on transvaginal ultrasound scan and this was confirmed on the three-dimensional scan. She was counselled about her treatment options and subsequently underwent laparoscopic cornual resection using the modified endoloop method. The estimated blood loss was 20 ml intraoperatively and the patient recovered well. She subsequently conceived spontaneously with an intrauterine pregnancy and underwent lower segment caesarean section at 37 weeks in view of previous laparoscopic cornual resection. Intraoperatively, the right cornua appeared normal and there was no sign of thinning.
BACKGROUND
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.