Experimental study of monopolar electrical and ultrasonic dissection.

The aim of this experimental study was to compare the disadvantages of a mo nopolar electric scalpel and an ultrasonically-activated scalpel in a porci ne model. Using thermal gradients, the ultrasonically-activated scalpel sig nificantly decreased thermal energy dispersion to surrounding structures an d thus decreased the risk of injuries to adjacent tissues and nerves, as op posed to the monopolar electric scalpel. Histological examination of nerves showed that necrosis was significantly less important with the use of the ultrasonically-activated scalpel. This experimental study demonstrated that the ultrasonically-activated scalpel caused less thermal and histological damage than the monopolar electric scalpel. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicates Elsevier SAS.