Is an Energy-Based Vessel Sealing Device more Effective Than the Conventional Clamping and Knot Tying Technique in Thyroid Surgery? A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the energy-based vessel-sealing device versus the conventional clamping and knot tying technique in thyroid surgery by comparing postoperative complications, operative time and hospital stay.
 Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, Royal Free Hospital London and South mead Hospital Bristol between Jan 2016 to Jan 2020.
 Methodology: A total of 100 patients that underwent total thyroidectomy were included in the study. Half of these patients having thyroid surgery with energy-based vessel sealing devices were allotted into group-1. While, the other half with conventional clamping and knot tying technique were included in group-2. The demographical characteristics and surgical outcomes of both the groups were compared using statistical analysis.
 Results: There were 93 females and 7 male patients. The mean age was 44.6 ± 17.33 years. The mean duration of surgery was significantly shorter in group-1 than group-2 (p-value = 0.001). There was no statistical difference in clinical hypo calcemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and hospital stay. However, more patients 27 (54%) in group-1 had laboratory hypo calcemia, compared to 19 (38%) group-2, (p-value = 0.02).
 Conclusion: Thyroid surgery by an energy-based vessel-sealing device is an effective technique as it reduces the operative time; however, higher laboratory hypo calcemia levels were observed.