Suturless Thyroidectomy

Abstract

Aim: Our purpose, Harmonic Scalpel (HS) and Conventional thyroidectomy in this clinical study was to compare in terms of universal parameters. Material and Method: This prospective randomized trial study was performed on these 929 consecutive patients given total thyroidectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to either the Focus group (in which the operation was performed entirely using the Harmonic Focus and no other hemostatic tool; 468 patients) or the classic group (in which the operation was performed using conventional clamp-and-tie technique and mono-polar electric scalpel; 461 patients). Results: The operation time was significantly longer in Group II (49 +/- 11 min.) than Group I (32 +/- 8 min). The mean blood loss was not significantly in patients both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in specimen size. The two groups were similar when transient/permanent hypocalcaemia rates were compared. Permanent RLN palsy was seen in five patient in Group I. There was no statistically significant difference in drain usege. Postoperative bleeding, seroma, infection rates, hospitalisation time were not different between the two groups. Discussion: In conclusion, usage of the UHS in thyroid surgery decreases operation time when it is compared to conventional methods. On the other hand there is no difference in postoperative complications. The UHS is an effective, reliable and feasible technique in thyroid surgery.