Harmonic scalpel versus traditional thyroidectomy

Background and Aim Thyroidectomy techniques have remained largely unchanged for decades. Recently, there have been accounts of the employing of the harmonic scalpel (HS) throughout Thyroidectomy. Here we aimed to compare total thyroidectomy employing HS and standard suture ligation technique. Patients and methods This prospective investigation was conducted in the period from October 2020 to September 2021 on patients admitted with thyroid disease, either benign or malignant in the Department of Surgery, Al-Azhar University Hospital, Damietta. The data collection method includes volume of drained fluid, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and postsurgical complications such as seroma postoperative bleeding or wound infection. Results The HS group (A) experienced a notably reduced intraoperative duration compared with the traditional hemostasis group (B). Additionally, the total volume of fluid drainage and intraoperative blood loss were considerably less in the HS group (A) than in the traditional hemostasis group (B). Bleeding after surgery was noted in three (5%) patients from the conventional hemostatic group (B), compared with two (1.67%) patients in the HS group (A). Only two patients in the conventional thyroidectomy group developed a postoperative seroma. Conclusions HS in total thyroidectomy significantly reduces postoperative complications, drainage volume, intraoperative blood loss, and intraoperative time.