@article {44039,
	title = {Electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is a safe and time-saving alternative to classic suture ligation in total thyroidectomy.},
	journal = {Head Neck},
	volume = {27},
	year = {2005},
	month = {2005 Nov},
	pages = {959-62},
	abstract = {BACKGROUND: Total thyroidectomy is associated with minimal morbidity. The electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is an adjunct to the surgical technique, recently made available to thyroid surgery.

METHODS: This is a prospective randomized trial of total thyroidectomies performed in single unit from July 2003 to May 2004. Patients were randomly assigned in two groups: group A (n = 90), total thyroidectomy with the classic suture ligation technique; and group B (n = 94), total thyroidectomy with the use of the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system.

RESULTS: Operative time was significantly reduced in group B by 14 minutes (mean difference, 14.3 +/- 4.2 minutes, 95\% CI, 5.88-22.6 minutes). No statistically significant differences were found in postoperative complications, postoperative serum calcium measurements, or hospital stay between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system is a safe and useful, time-saving adjunct for total thyroidectomy.},
	keywords = {Electrocoagulation, Female, Hemostasis, Surgical, Humans, Ligation, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Suture Techniques, Thyroid Gland, Thyroidectomy, Treatment Outcome},
	issn = {1043-3074},
	doi = {10.1002/hed.20271},
	author = {Manouras, Andreas and Lagoudianakis, Emmanuel E and Antonakis, Pantelis T and Filippakis, George M and Markogiannakis, Haridimos and Kekis, Panagiotis B}
}
