Technique of clamp-tie thyroidectomy versus Harmonic focus R . Is there a need for technology?

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare operative times and frequency of complications between groups for total thyroidectomy without evidence of malignancy. Materials and Methods: This interventional (experimental) controlled trial was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital from 11 th June, 2010 to 10 th June, 2012 and included 120 patients. Group 1 included those patients that underwent total thyroidectomy using the Harmonic Focus R , whereas Group 2 included all those patients that underwent total thyroidectomy by a clamp-tie technique. The data following collection was entered onto the SPSS version 16.0 for Windows R and analyzed. Results: The demographic data in comparison by the two groups saw no significant difference (P = 0.822). Age ranges were also similar, but late age was not a common finding. The mean operative time was lower in the Group 1 (55.3 [±12.1] min) versus (71.6 [±18.2] min) for Group 2. The other significant differences observed in the mean hospital stay (P = 0.031) and mean blood in the drain at 24 h was 55.6 (±11.34) ml in Group 1 versus 83.7 (±21.4) ml for Group 2 (P = 0.001). The frequency of persistent hypocalcemia and hoarseness was observed in the conventional clamp-tie group. Conclusion: The use of ultrasonic dissector is safe and significantly reduces operative time. The frequency of hypoparathyroidism inferred from hypocalcemia persisting beyond 1 month was greater in the conventional clamp-tie group as was the amount of blood in the drain at 24 h