The approach of general surgeons to the use of vessel sealing device in thyroid surgery

Abstract

Objective: Vascular sealing devices (VSD) can be safely used in thyroid surgery. The purpose of this survey was to investigate general surgeons' approach to the use of VSD in thyroid surgery in Turkey. Material and Methods:A questionnaire containing 10 items was prepared and announced via the Dialogue in Endocrinology Society website. The results were then analyzed.Results: Fifty surgeons (65.8%) stated that they always use VSD, 20 (26.3%) stated that they sometimes use these devices and six (7.9%) declared that they never use VSD. Thirty-six surgeons (47.4%) reported that they use ligation all the time, and 42 (55.3%) stated that upper pole vessels should be ligated at least once. Twenty two point four percent of the responders stated that they faced a complication, which they thought was related to VSD. Conclusion:The vast majority of surgeons routinely uses VSD and accepts it as a safe tool. However, the observed complication rate was very high.

A complication of thyroidectomy: Do not forget suture reaction

“…Fundamental changes in the approaches of surgeons to vascular bleeding control have occurred especially due to new vessel sealing devices, which were introduced in the last decade. It has been reported that the endurance of these devices are equal to that of clips and knots if the devices were used in appropriate capacity (4,9) In a questionnaire study on thyroid surgery and vessel sealing devices performed in our country, it was found that these devices are used in 65% of all thyroidectomy operations. In the same study, 47% of the surgeons reported that they use ligation in every case, while 55% stated that upper pole vessels must be ligated at least once (4).…”

“…Many surgeons prefer conventional suturing. As it is known, sutures are foreign bodies for the body and may cause a reaction, which is more common especially with non-absorbable sutures (1,4,5).…”