Electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is a safe and time-saving alternative to classic suture ligation in total thyroidectomy

Background. Total thyroidectomy is associated with minimal morbidity. The electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is an adjunct to the surgical technique, recently made available to thyroid surgery. Methods. This is a prospective randomized trial of total thyroidectomies performed in single unit from July 2003 to May 2004. Patients were randomly assigned in two groups: group A (n = 90), total thyroidectomy with the classic suture ligation technique; and group B (n = 94), total thyroidectomy with the use of the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system. Results. Operative time was significantly reduced in group B by 14 minutes (mean difference, 14.3 ± 4.2 minutes, 95% CI, 5.88–22.6 minutes). No statistically significant differences were found in postoperative complications, postoperative serum calcium measurements, or hospital stay between the two groups. Conclusions. The electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is a safe and useful, time‐saving adjunct for total thyroidectomy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 27: XXX–XXX, 2005