Clipless laparoscopic cholecystectomy: 3 Port access.

Abstract

Objectives: Use to ultrasound vibrations instead of electric current makes Harmonic Scalpel a safer and more efficient instrument for dissection during laparoscopic surgeries. The property of both coagulation and cutting using single Harmonic Scalpel instruments saves time of surgery reducing anesthesia load. Cystic artery and liver bed dissection has been widely used and established but a contemporary approach is the coagulation and cutting of cystic duct with Harmonic Scalpel eliminating the need for clips and reducing the epigastric port size from 10mm to 5mm thus reducing post-operative pain. Study Design: Prospective Study. Setting: This study was conducted in Department of surgery Quaid e Azam Medical College Bahawalpur. Period: Dec, 2015 to Dec, 2017. Material & Methods: 60 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy 3 ports were introduced one 10mm and two 5mm. the dissection and division of both cystic artery and duct was done by a single instrument, Harmonic Scalpel after tying the cystic duct with 2/0 extracorporeal knot. Results: None of the patients developed Major or Minor bile leaks or hemorrhage. Conclusion: Harmonic scalpel provides a safe alternative for dissecting and division of cystic duct and may replace the more widely used clip technique. The number of ports can be reduced to 3 and size reduced from 10mm to 5 mm. Harmonic scalpel technique eliminates the time wasted during changing of instruments per-operatively and also reduces the risk of remote electric injury.