Outcomes of Harmonic Scalpel and Electrocautery in Patients Who Underwent Modified Radical Mastectomy.

Farhana Memon,Adnan Anwar,Atif A Hashmi,Sughra Parveen,Sadaf Iqbal,Ashfaque Ahmed

doi:10.7759/cureus.12311

Farhana Memon, Adnan Anwar + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.12311

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Journal: Cureus	Publication Date: Dec 26, 2020
Citations: 1	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the mean operative time, total analgesic required, and the mean number of drainage days in harmonic scalpel versus electrocautery in breast cancer patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM).MethodologyThis retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC). The duration of the study was six months, from January 2018 until July 2018. A total of 194 females with biopsy-proven breast cancer undergoing MRM were included in the study. They were divided into two groups. In group ‘A', a harmonic scalpel was used, and in group 'B', electrocautery was used for hemostasis.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 48.68 ±10.04 years. The mean operative time was 102.13 ±2.04 minutes. The mean number of days of drainage was 1.27 ±2.63. The mean analgesia amount was 30.72 ±3.25 mg. In the harmonic scalpel group, the mean operative time was 100.43 ±0.89 minutes, whereas, in the electrocautery group, it was 103.86 ±1.12 minutes with a significant difference (p=0.001). In the harmonic scalpel group, the mean number of drainage days was 8.90 ±0.42, whereas, in the electrocautery group, it was 13.58 ±1.26 with a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). In the harmonic scalpel group, the mean analgesia amount was 1,800.5 ±353.55 mg, whereas, in the electrocautery group, it was noted to be 2,006.25 ±289.43 with a statistically significant difference (p=0.001).ConclusionThis study concludes that compared with standard electrocautery, harmonic scalpel dissection is associated with significant benefits in decreasing postoperative drainage and blood loss during operations after MRM for breast cancer.

Highlights

The most common type of cancer affecting females is breast cancer [1]
We found that harmonic scalpel dissection had significant benefits over standard electrocautery in terms of operative time, drainage days, and analgesia amount in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM) for breast cancer
Our study findings were consistent with the previous study in that they showed a higher risk of breast carcinoma in middle-aged women; the mean age of the patients who underwent MRM in our study was 48.68 ±10.04 years

Summary

Introduction

The most common type of cancer affecting females is breast cancer [1]. It is the most widespread malignancy, and it affects 14% of the female population globally [2]. The appearance of a new bulge or mass is the most common sign of breast cancer [5]. Other signs of breast cancer are swelling of either the whole breast or a portion of the affected breast, dimpling of the skin associated with nipple pain or an inverted nipple, marked redness in the breast, thickening of the skin over the nipple, discharge from the nipple, and a mass felt in the axilla [6]. Advanced age and female sex are the main risk factors for breast cancer. Other risk factors include genetics, hormonal changes, certain dietary habits, lack of childbearing or lack of breastfeeding, and being overweight [7]

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