Ultrasonically activated shears versus electrocautery in open gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a randomized controlled trial

Background Use of ultrasonically activated shears (UAS) is gaining popularity in open surgery but without concrete evidence. We conducted a prospectively randomized study to assess the efficacy of ultrasonic dissection in open gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods Patients with gastric cancer who were to undergo gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection were enrolled and assigned to either the conventional surgery group ( n = 125) or the UAS group ( n = 128). Results The mean operating time was significantly reduced in the UAS group (89.3 ± 15.6 min) when compared to the conventional group (97.8 ± 17.2 min; p