All we need to know about internal thoracic artery harvesting and preparation for myocardial revascularization: a systematic review

Internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) are the gold standard conduits for coronary revascularization because of their long-term patency and anti-atherosclerotic properties. Harvesting and preparation of ITAs for revascularization is a technically demanding procedure with multiple challenges. Over the last few decades, various methods and techniques for ITAs harvesting have been introduced by different surgeons and applied in clinical practice with different results. Harvesting of ITAs in pedicled or skeletonized fashion, with electrocautery or harmonic scalpel, with open or intact pleura, with clipping the end or keeping it perfused; papaverine delivery with intraluminal injection, perivascular injection, injecting into endothoracic fascia, and papaverine topical spray are the different techniques introduced by the number of researchers. At the same time, access to the ITAs for harvesting has also been studied. Access and harvesting through median sternotomy, mini anterolateral thoracotomy, thoracoscopic, and robotic-assisted harvesting of ITAs are the different techniques used in clinical practice. However, the single standard method for harvesting and preparation of ITAs has yet to be determined. In this review article, we aimed to discuss and analyze all these techniques of harvesting and preparing ITAs with the help of literature to find the best way for ITAs harvesting and preparation for myocardial revascularization.

Endoscopic Internal Thoracic Artery Harvesting with Changes in Scope Position

Although minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) is a less invasive procedure, internal thoracic artery (ITA) harvesting is difficult. A 65-year-old woman was advised to undergo MIDCAB for recurrent in-stent restenosis. We harvested the ITA using three-dimensional endoscopy without robotics and determined the scope position using enhanced computed tomography. We changed the camera installation between the wound and the camera port, according to the harvesting site with a harmonic scalpel using the skeletonized technique. We harvested the ITA from the subclavian vein level superiorly to the xyphoid process level inferiorly.

Comparison Of Harmonic Scalpel, Coblation And Cold Dissection For Tonsillectomy In Adult

Objectives: To compare the safety and effectiveness of tonsillectomy with three different techniques. Design: A double-blinded randomized prospective clinical trial Setting and Participants: Totally120 patients with recurrent tonsillitis between April 2018 and April 2020 were included. Main Outcome Measures: Operative time, intra and post operative bleeding loss, pseudomembrane growth time, pseudomembrane shedding time, postoperative pain, and necrosis depth of specimens were compared of harmonic scalpel(HS), coblation and cold dissection(CD) tonsillectomy. Results: The operative time and intraoperative bleeding loss was significantly less in HS and coblation group than CD group(p < 0.05). Pseudomembrane growth time and pseudomembrane shedding time were significantly longer in the HS group compared with the other groups(p < 0.05). The postoperative pain levels were significantly higher on the first postoperative day in CD group(p < 0.05), and significantly lower on the third and seventh postoperative day in coblation group(p < 0.05). There was no significant difference among three techniques in terms of postoperative bleeding loss(p > 0.05). The deepest necrosis depth in specimen was found in HS group(p > 0.05), while in CD group, only edema was observed without necrosis. Conclusion: To compared with HS and CD, coblation is a faster, safer and more painless technique for tonsillectomy in adult.

The role of LigaSure™ and Harmonic Scalpel in the preservation of recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy

INTRODUCTION Transient or permanent damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) during thyroidectomy is of paramount importance for patient quality of life. The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature concerning the role of the most popular energy-based vessel-sealing devices (LigaSure™ (LS) and Harmonic Scalpel (HS)) in preservation of the RLN during thyroidectomy. The safety and inferiority or superiority of LS and HS compared with conventional haemostatic techniques are highlighted. METHODS A systematic search of the literature was performed. Clinical trials, prospective and retrospective studies that significantly compared the use of LS and HS with conventional haemostasis regarding the postoperative incidence of RLN palsy were included. FINDINGS The search resulted in 43 studies, including 17,953 patients treated using energy-based devices or conventional haemostatic methods. Concerning the incidence of RLN palsy, 40 studies showed no significant difference between the energy-based device and conventional groups, whereas two studies demonstrated a significant superiority in performance for LS and HS compared with conventional haemostasis. Only one study exhibited significant inferiority of LS and HS compared with conventional methods. No statistical relationship was observed between energy-based devices and conventional techniques regarding permanent damage to the RLN. CONCLUSION The performance of both LS and HS shows no inferiority compared with conventional haemostatic techniques, regarding damage to the laryngeal nerve. Further well-designed studies are needed to investigate their potential benefit in preservation of the RLN.

Comparison of harmonic scalpel versus Milligan Morgan technique in haemorrhoidectomy patients

Objectives: To assess the comparison of harmonic scalpel versus Milligan Morgan technique in patients undergoing haemorrhoidectomy. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted at General Hospital, Lahore, from March 2019 to September 2019. Informed consent was obtained from eligible 60 patients. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. In group-A, haemorrhoidectomy was conducted according to the harmonic scalpel method. In group-B, open haemorrhoidectomy was performed by the Milligan Morgan procedure. Data was assembled through a designed questionnaire and investigated via SPSS version 25. Data were stratified for descriptive statistics, level of haemorrhoids and period of haemorrhoids. Post-stratification, independent sample t-test was used. Results: Mean age of both groups patients were 44.6±7.6 and 43.8±8.2 years, respectively. In group-A, mean operative time was 20.8±2.8 minutes, while 26.5±2.8 minutes in group-B, which was statistically significant with p-value of 0.001. In group-A, mean convalescence period was 9.7±2.9 days, while 13.4±3.7 days in group-B, which was statistically significant with p-value of 0.001. The mean convalescence period with harmonic scalpel method was 7.4 days (range 5–14, SD 3.6) versus 18.6 days (range 7–30, SD 5.4) with Milligan Morgan technique (P?0.001). This research observed that harmonic scalpel method required almost six weeks for complete wound healing, whereas in Milligan Morgan technique, complete wound healing was achieved after three months (P<0.05). Conclusion: Harmonic scalpel haemorrhoidectomy found an advantageous method when assessing the operative time and convalescence period. Hence, Harmonic scalpel haemorrhoidectomy can be adapted as a safe and effective alternative method for treating symptomatic haemorrhoids. Continuous...

Safety and effectiveness evaluation of a two-handed technique combining harmonic scalpel and laparoscopic Peng’s multifunction operative dissector in laparoscopic hemihepatectomy

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a two-hand technique combining harmonic scalpel (HS) and laparoscopic Peng’s multifunction operative dissector (LPMOD) in patients who underwent laparoscopic hemihepatectomy (LHH). Methods We designed and conducted a case-control study nested in a prospectively collected laparoscopic liver surgery database. Patients who underwent LHH for liver parenchyma transection using HS + LPMOD were defined as cases (n = 98) and LPMOD only as controls (n = 47) from January 2016 to May 2018. Propensity score matching (1:1) between the case and control groups was used in the analyses. Results The case group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss in milliliters (169.4 ± 133.5 vs. 221.5 ± 176.3, P = 0.03) and shorter operative time in minutes (210.5 ± 56.1 vs. 265.7 ± 67.1, P = 0.02) comparing to the control group. The conversion to laparotomy, postoperative hospital stay, resection margin, the mean peak level of postoperative liver function parameters, bile leakage rate, and others were comparable between the two groups. There was no perioperative mortality. Conclusions We demonstrated that the two-handed technique combing HS and LPMOD in LHH is safe and effective which is associated with shorter operative time and less intraoperative blood loss compared with LPMOD alone. The technique facilitates laparoscopic liver resection and is recommended for use.