Harmonic Scalpel versus Monopolar Electrocauterization in Cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) using surgical electrocautery is considered to be the gold standard procedure for the treatment of uncomplicated cholecystitis and cholelithiasis. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the Harmonic scalpel, an advanced laparoscopic technique associated with less thermal damage in LC, when compared to electrocautery. METHODS: From October 2010 through June 2013, a total of 198 patients were randomly allocated to LC with a Harmonic scalpel (experimental group, 117 patients) or conventional monopolar electrocautery (control group, 81 patients). The main outcome measures were operative time, blood loss, conversion to laparotomy, postoperative hospital stay, post-LC pain, and cost effectiveness. RESULTS: The 2 groups were comparable with respect to baseline patient characteristics. When compared to conventional monopolar electrocautery, there were no significant reductions in the operative time, bleeding, frequency of conversion to laparotomy, and duration of postoperative recovery with the Harmonic scalpel (P > .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy using conventional monopolar electrocautery is as effective and safe as that with the Harmonic scalpel, for treating uncomplicated cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.