Background: Total thyroidectomy is associated with minimal morbidity. The electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is an adjunct to the surgical technique, recently made available to thyroid surgery.
Methods: This is a prospective randomized trial of total thyroidectomies performed in single unit from July 2003 to May 2004. Patients were randomly assigned in two groups: group A (n = 90), total thyroidectomy with the classic suture ligation technique; and group B (n = 94), total thyroidectomy with the use of the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system.
Results: Operative time was significantly reduced in group B by 14 minutes (mean difference, 14.3 +/- 4.2 minutes, 95% CI, 5.88-22.6 minutes). No statistically significant differences were found in postoperative complications, postoperative serum calcium measurements, or hospital stay between the two groups.
Conclusions: The electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is a safe and useful, time-saving adjunct for total thyroidectomy.
(c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.