BACKGROUND: This study investigated whether the use of the vessel sealing device LigaSure Small Jaw™ is cost-effective and safe in thyroid surgery despite the high cost of material. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed the results of 224 thyroid operations performed by the same surgeon in three time intervals. We included thyroidectomies and bilateral near-total resections (including Dunhill surgery). Minimally-invasive resections (MIVAT), unilateral resections or subtotal resections (remains > 2 ml), patients with recurrent goiter, operations with neck dissections and sternotomies were excluded. In 72 procedures carried out during the first interval (1/2011 - 6/2011), the surgeon only used the clamp-and-tie technique. In the other two intervals (II: 7/2012 - 12/2012, n = 81 and III: 1/2014 - 6/2014: n = 71), the LigaSure Small Jaw was used. We investigated operation time (cut-seam time) and the complication rates between the groups (transient/permanent laryngeal nerve palsy, severe bleeding causing reoperation and hypocalcaemia, defined as Ca < 2.0 mmol/l). Differences were calculated with the t-test and the Wilcoxon rank test. Values are given as mean ± SEM. RESULTS: Specimen weight and the indication for surgery (nodular goiter or Basedow's disease) were comparable in all groups, but there were fewer thyroidectomies performed in the first interval (p = 0.009). There was no difference in complication rates between the groups, such as the rate of transient laryngeal nerve palsy in % (I: 2.17; II: 1.92; III 1.44) and postoperative hypocalcaemia in % (I: 20.8; II: 21.0; III 15.5). The use of the LigaSure Small Jaw in thyroidectomy procedures led to a significant reduction of operation time (II: Δ 27.4 min; III: Δ 25.6 min; p = 0.0001) compared to interval I. This was also found for bilateral near-total resections (II: Δ 24.3 min; III Δ 32.1 min; p = 0.0001). The InEK calculation for thyroidectomy procedures estimated personnel expenses in the OR to be about 1233 €. A 31-min reduction in operation time would save 440 € of personnel expenses. DISCUSSION: The use of the LigaSure Small Jaw during thyroid surgery is safe and cost-effective for thyroidectomy procedures and bilateral near-total resections. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
BACKGROUND: This study investigated whether the use of the vessel sealing device LigaSure Small Jaw™ is cost-effective and safe in thyroid surgery despite the high cost of material. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed the results of 224 thyroid operations performed by the same surgeon in three time intervals. We included thyroidectomies and bilateral near-total resections (including Dunhill surgery). Minimally-invasive resections (MIVAT), unilateral resections or subtotal resections (remains > 2 ml), patients with recurrent goiter, operations with neck dissections and sternotomies were excluded. In 72 procedures carried out during the first interval (1/2011 - 6/2011), the surgeon only used the clamp-and-tie technique. In the other two intervals (II: 7/2012 - 12/2012, n = 81 and III: 1/2014 - 6/2014: n = 71), the LigaSure Small Jaw was used. We investigated operation time (cut-seam time) and the complication rates between the groups (transient/permanent laryngeal nerve palsy, severe bleeding causing reoperation and hypocalcaemia, defined as Ca < 2.0 mmol/l). Differences were calculated with the t-test and the Wilcoxon rank test. Values are given as mean ± SEM. RESULTS: Specimen weight and the indication for surgery (nodular goiter or Basedow's disease) were comparable in all groups, but there were fewer thyroidectomies performed in the first interval (p = 0.009). There was no difference in complication rates between the groups, such as the rate of transient laryngeal nerve palsy in % (I: 2.17; II: 1.92; III 1.44) and postoperative hypocalcaemia in % (I: 20.8; II: 21.0; III 15.5). The use of the LigaSure Small Jaw in thyroidectomy procedures led to a significant reduction of operation time (II: Δ 27.4 min; III: Δ 25.6 min; p = 0.0001) compared to interval I. This was also found for bilateral near-total resections (II: Δ 24.3 min; III Δ 32.1 min; p = 0.0001). The InEK calculation for thyroidectomy procedures estimated personnel expenses in the OR to be about 1233 €. A 31-min reduction in operation time would save 440 € of personnel expenses. DISCUSSION: The use of the LigaSure Small Jaw during thyroid surgery is safe and cost-effective for thyroidectomy procedures and bilateral near-total resections. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.