Use Of Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator Research Articles

Use of ultrasonic surgical aspirator in operative cytoreduction of pseudomyxoma peritonei.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei presents a unique challenge to the surgical oncologist. Residual gelatinous tumor with varying degrees of adherence always remains on the abdominal viscera after standard excisional therapy. Traditionally, this has been removed by "electroevaporation" with ball-tip diathermy, but this is associated with an extensive peritoneal burn and associated ileus. We describe the use of an ultrasonic surgical aspirator as a safe and efficient method of tumor removal in this condition.

Experimental Study on the Effect of Intracranial Use of Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator with Electric Striction Transducer

The effect of the intracranial use of an ultrasonic surgical aspirator with an electric striction transducer on the common carotid artery and nervous tissues was studied in anesthetized adult cats. Experiments were performed without suction to investigate the effect of ultrasonic emulsification alone. The intensity of the ultrasonic vibration was fixed at 60% of the maximal vibration (240 μm). Saline was irrigated over the tip of ultrasonic aspirator at a flow rate of 5 ml/min. The temperature rise produced by ultrasonic vibration was studied by use of a thermistor buried in the brain parenchyma of animals 2 mm from the ultrasonic vibratory tip. No rise above the physiological range could be observed. The effect of ultrasonic vibrations on the nervous system was studied using trigeminal evoked potentials (TEP) to monitor nerve function. An ultrasonic vibratory probe was applied to the cerebral cortex, brainstem and semilunar ganglion of trigeminal nerve. No significant changes on TEP occurred during or after application of ultrasonic vibration on any occasion. The common carotid artery and cerebral cortex exposed to ultrasonic vibrations were studied histologically. The changes were localized only in the superficial layer at the site of ultrasonic application. These experimental results suggest that damage to the nervous tissue and major vessels by ultrasonic vibrations can be prevented by keeping the intensity of vibration to less than 60% and avoiding continuous use of ultrasonic vibrations.

Use of ultrasonic surgical aspirator in renal surgery

The Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) was used to fragment and aspirate normal and pathologic renal tissue. The operative blood loss utilizing the CUSA was markedly reduced compared to electrocautery or the cold scalpel. This is due to the ability of the instrument selectively to fragment and aspirate tissue with high-water content, such as renal parenchyma, while sparing tissue with higher elastin and collagen content, such as collecting system or blood vessel. The surgeon can therefore skeletonize and secure the blood vessels before they are divided.