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Comparison of Suction Knife, Ultrasonic Dissector, and Contact Neodymium-YAG Laser

Tom Schröder, MD; P.-O. Hasselgren, MD; Kim Brackett, PhD; Stephen N. Joffe, MD

Arch Surg. 1987;122(10):1166-1171.

Abstract
• Liver resections were performed in 18 pigs with an inexpensive disposable plastic suction knife, an ultrasonic dissector, or a contact neodymium (Nd)–YAG laser. Technical aspects and intraoperative and postoperative data were compared. Intraoperative blood loss was less with the suction knife (112±28 mL) than with the ultrasonic dissector (149±45 mL) or Nd-YAG laser (174±25 mL). Operating time was similar in all groups. The number of ligatures used in the Nd-YAG laser group (12±1) was significantly less than in the ultrasonic dissector (27±2) or suction knife (32±2) groups. In the ultrasonic dissector group, there was an increase in postoperative white blood cell count and liver enzyme levels compared with the other two groups. Light microscopy revealed dilated bile ducts in the ultrasonic dissector resection group, which may reflect biliary stasis. There were no significant differences in mortality among the three experimental groups. Results indicated that the ultrasonic dissector and the contact laser method were not substantially better than an inexpensive, easily modified plastic suction catheter in performing a major nonanatomic liver resection in piglets.

(Arch Surg 1987;122:1166-1171)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Dec 30, 1986.

Reprint requests to IV Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki, Kasarminkatu 11-13, 00130 Helsinki, Finland (Dr Schröder).

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