Study objective: To compare laparosonic coagulating shears (LCS), which use ultrasonic energy, and unipolar diathermy scissors with respect to depth of tissue injury.
Design: Prospective observational study (Canadian Task Force classification I).
Setting: A reproduced surgical setting.
Subjects: An anesthetized sheep.
Intervention: We laparoscopically harvested uterine horn and bowel tissue.
Measurements and main results: Tissue was transected while hemostasis was maintained. Two pathologists examined tissue independently, and each was blinded as to the instrument used for harvesting. Clinical characteristics and tissue injury created by the instruments were compared.
Conclusion: Subjectively, LCS appeared to produce less smoke plume than diathermy scissors. It also produced greater tissue damage than unipolar electrosurgery on settings of 35 W cut and 30 W coagulate.