Prospective comparison of four laparoscopic vessel ligation devices

The merits of laparoscopic sealing devices have been poorly characterized. The purpose of this study was to compare two bipolar sealing devices [LigaSure V (LS) and Gyrus PK (GP)], an ultrasonic device [Harmonic Scalpel ACE (HS)] and a novel device using nanotechnology [EnSeal PTC (ES)]. The ability of all four 5 mm devices to seal 5 mm bovine arteries was tested under controlled temperature and humidity in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Study endpoints included lateral thermal spread, time to seal, burst pressure, smoke production and subjective (blinded review of video clips) and objective (measured using an aerosol monitor) effect upon visibility. The HS demonstrated the least thermal spread. The LS (10.0 secs) and GP (11.1 secs) had the fastest sealing times (p