A Comparison of the Ligasure and Harmonic Scalpel in Laparoscopic Gastrectomy

You-Na Kim, MD, Sang Yong Kim, MS, Hyoung-Il Kim, MD

Yonsei University, College of Medicine

Introduction
The purpose of this study was to compare LigaSure device with harmonic scalpel in the laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
Methods and procedures
A retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained data was performed on patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy using the LigaSure device or harmonic scalpel between May 2009 and Sep 2012. Patients’ clincopathologic, operative, and postoperative complications were compared.
Results
A total of 263 patients were included in the study, of whom 125 used LigaSure and 138 used Harmonic scalpel for laparoscopic gastrectomy. Both group were comparable with no significant differences in age, sex, stage, extent of gastrectomy, reconstruction method, and extent of lymph node dissection. In surgical outcomes, there were no significant differences in the number of retrieved lymph nodes and postoperative complications. However, LigaSure was associated with Shorter operating time (165.1 ± 52.5 min vs. 234.3 ± 77.96 min, p<0.001), less blood loss (50.5 ± 73.9 ml vs. 78.5 ± 79.4 ml, p=0.005), and shorter hospital stay. (7.0 ±4.8 days vs. 10.1 ± 9.1days, p=0.001)
Conclusions
The LigaSure is safe for laparoscopic gastrectomy with appropriated lymph node dissection. Used effectively, the device appears to reduce operating time, blood loss, and hospital stay, although this requires confirmation in larger series.

Session: Poster Presentation

Program Number: P394