[Ultrasonic dissection in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A safe alternative to patients with pacemaker]

Use of electrocautery for laparoscopic surgery in patients with implanted pacemakers can create serious pace dysfunction. In these patients, the innovation of ultrasonic coagulation shears has provided the potential for safe routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We present a case where laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed with the ultrasonic dissecting hook. The operation was converted to laparotomy due to unclear anatomy with further dissection using the ultrasonic hook. The intra- and postoperative courses were uneventful with no cardiac arrhythmias. More attention should be drawn towards this new surgical device so that patients with pacemakers may undergo routine laparoscopic surgery.