Electrothermal bipolar coagulation for radical prostatectomies and cystectomies: a preliminary case-controlled study.

INTRODUCTION

Hemostasis is of utmost importance in urologic cancer surgery. The aim of this initial case-controlled study was to evaluate the use of an electrothermal biporal coagulator (Ligasure device) in major urologic procedures, including open radical prostatectomies and radical cystectomies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Over the years 2001 to 2002, 58 patients aged 56-74 years (mean: 65 years) underwent open radical prostatectomies and open radical cystectomies performed by the same surgeon, employing either conventional ligation in the control group (radical prostatectomy, n = 15; radical cystectomy n = 9) or the Ligasure device in the study group (radical prostatectomy, n = 24; radical cystectomy n = 10) to ensure blood vessel patency. Effectiveness and postoperative outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

The 2 groups were similar regarding demographic and clinical variables. The mean operation time was significantly shorter in the Ligasure group compared with the control group for both the prostatectomy (125 minutes vs. 144 minutes, p < 0.001) and the cystectomy procedures (253 minutes vs. 281 minutes, p < 0.001). The mean intra-operation blood loss was significantly lower in the Ligasure group compared with the control group for both prostatectomy (569 ml vs. 685 ml, p = 0.04) and cystectomy procedures (637 ml vs. 744 ml, p = 0.02). Intraoperative blood transfusion was only required in 2 patients (1 radical prostatectomy, 1 radical cystectomy) in the Ligasure group and in 7 patients in the control group respectively (p = 0.01). There was no effect of surgical specimen size on operation time for both prostatectomy (r = -0.03, p = 0.8, n = 39) and cystectomy procedures (r = 0.02, p = 0.9, n = 19). There were no serious intra-operation or postoperative complications related to the use of the Ligasure device.

CONCLUSIONS

Ligasure radical prostatectomy and radical cystectomy are safe, and significantly decrease both the operation time and the blood loss, when compared to the conventional ligation method.