Bipolar Thermofusion BiClamp 150 in Thyroidectomy: A Review of 1156 Operations

Abstract

Objectives. To compare the bipolar thermofusion BiClamp 150 with conventional ligature techniques for thyroid gland surgery, and report the advantages/disadvantages of both techniques. Methods. In this retrospective comparative study, all thyroid gland operations performed in the ENT Clinic Faculty Hospital Ostrava from 2006 to 2013 were included (1156 operations, 2122 lobes). Patients were categorized into two groups according to the type of vessel sealing method used, group I (BiClamp, n = 819 operations) and group II (conventional ligature, n = 337 operations). The number of revision surgeries due to wound hematoma was recorded as a bleeding event. Statistical analysis of the complication rate (bleeding rate, recurrent nerve palsy) and time of duration was performed. Results. The rate of revision surgery performed due to postoperative wound hematoma was significantly lower in group I (15/819, 1.83%) compared with group II (14/337, 4.15%) (P = 0.022). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy between groups I and II (P = 0.36). The average surgery time was significantly shorter in group I (P < 0.001). Conclusion. Bipolar thermofusion BiClamp is an effective vessel sealing method that leads to a significant reduction in postoperative wound bleeding rates and reduces surgical time compared with conventional vessel ligature.

Effect of voice therapy with or without transcutaneous electrical stimulation on recovery of injured macroscopically intact recurrent laryngeal nerve after thyroid surgery

“…Thyroid gland surgery is becoming more and more frequent, with hundreds of thousands of worldwide surgeries performed each year [3,4]. RLN injury is one of its most feared complications, with rates of 1 3 permanent damage from 0.5 to 3% of nerves at risk and several times more frequent transient damage [5][6][7][8][9]. The number of injured RLNs is likely even higher because not every patient routinely undergoes a vocal fold check after surgery, such as when surgery is performed by general surgeons [9].…”

In silico evaluation of geometry variations with respect to the thermal spread during coagulation of egg white using bipolar vessel sealing instruments

“…A major advantage of bipolar vessel sealing is the nearly bloodless preparation of tissue structures in a short time without foreign matter remaining in the body. This significantly reduces surgical time and postoperative wound bleeding compared to conventional ligation [5, 6]. Yet, there is still considerable potential for improvement and the process of thermofusion itself has yet to be fully understood.…”