LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY IN 200 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS USING AN ULTRASONICALLY ACTIVATED SCALPEL

Ultrasonic energy has not been previously used for surgical cutting an d coagulating. Work in our laboratory has led to the development of an ultrasonically activated scalpel that safely and effectively cuts and coagulates tissue in animals. The purpose of this study was to determ ine if ultrasonic energy can replace monopolar electrosurgery in human laparoscopic surgery. Two hundred consecutive patients underwent lapa roscopic cholecystectomy with the ultrasonically activated scalpel. Th e scalpel was the sole energy form in 98 of the first 100 patients, an d in all of the last 100 patients. There were no common duct injuries, reoperations, or mortality. No patient had more than a 3-g drop in he moglobin or transfusion. The ultrasonically activated scalpel is a saf e and effective energy form for cutting and coagulating tissue during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in humans. The absence of need of monopol ar electrosurgery combined with hemostatic effectiveness supports the concept that the ultrasonically activated scalpel can replace electros urgery for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.