NEW TECHNIQUES USING THE ULTRASONIC SCALPEL IN LAPAROSCOPIC HYSTERECTOMY

The ultrasonically activated scalpel has been shown to be a haemostati cally effective cutting device in gynaecologic surgery. The introducti on of laparosonic coagulating shears (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati , USA), with its multifunctionality, should have promoted wider use of the tool in major laparoscopic surgery, including hysterectomy and pe lvic floor reconstructions. However, there is limited published data c urrently available on using ultrasonic energy in gynaecologic surgery. (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.