Efficacy and safety of ultrasonically activated shears in thyroid surgery

Background. The purpose of this prospective study is to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasonically activated shears (UAS) in hemostasis as well as its safety in regard to complications in thyroid surgery. Methods. Three hundred patients who had undergone surgery on the thyroid gland were divided into 2 groups of 150 patients each. Hemostasis as well as division of blood vessels and thyroid tissue were performed with the use of UAS in the first group and by conventional ligations in the second group. Results. The use of UAS resulted in as much as a 39.7% reduction in the operative time of the total thyroidectomy and a 30.8% reduction of the lobectomy (p < .001). However, there was no important difference in the postoperative blood loss in either the temporary hypoparathyroidism or the paresis of recurrent laryngeal nerves. Conclusions. The use of UAS in thyroid surgery is a safe method for hemostasis, as well as for the division of blood vessels and thyroid tissue. It leads to the reduction of the total operative time without serious complications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006