Comparison of postoperative complications using Harmonic scalpel and LigaSure in thyroid surgery

Background: Thyroid surgery is the most common operation in the field of endocrine surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the use of LigaSure vessel (LS) and Harmonic scalpel (HS) in 1599 total thyroid surgeries between January 2008 and December of 2022, with regards of analysis of surgical complications, duration of hospital stay and operative surgical time. Methods: In this retrospective study patients have been categorized into two groups: Group A included 718 patients from January 2008 to May 2013 when LigaSure vessel was used, and the Group B included 881 patients from June 2013 to December 2022 when Harmonic scalpel was used. A summary of the total number of postoperative complications cases, surgical time and the duration of hospital stay between the two groups is presented. Results: There was no significant difference in the sex, age, and mean operating time between the two groups (P>0.05). Either major bleeding or wound infection occurred in 4 (0.6%) or 14 (1.9%) of the patients undergoing thyroidectomy when LS was used compared to 4 (0.5%) or 15 (1.7%) of the patients undergoing thyroid surgery when HS was used (P> 0.05 and P> 0.05, respectively). In addition, either hypoparathyroidism or temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was observed in 91 (12.7%) or 39 (5.4%) of the Group A patients compared with 98 (11.1%) or 44 (5%) of the Group B patients (P> 0.05 and P> 0.05, respectively). Conclusion:  The current study demonstrates that thyroidectomy can be safely performed with both devices without increasing the risk of complications.