Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Clinical Application of Single-Surgeon, Three-Port, Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer with Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction
Published on: March 24, 2023
A prospective randomized comparison of two instruments for dissection and vessel sealing in laparoscopic colorectal
M Hübner1, D Hahnloser, F Hetzer
1Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091, Zürich, Switzerland.
Background:
A newly available, laparoscopic 5-mm bipolar vessel sealing device promises substantial advantages over the 10-mm instrument. This study compared the safety as well as the technical and surgical aspects of these different tools.
Methods:
For this study, 30 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic left-sided colectomy were prospectively randomized for the 5-mm LigaSure or The 10-mm LigaSure. The patients' demographics were analyzed together with their intraoperative and postoperative parameters, and the instruments were assessed by the surgeons with a standardized questionnaire.
Results:
The two groups were comparable and demonstrated similar mean operation times, blood losses, and hospital stays. The 5-mm LigaSure was applied in more operation steps and resulted in fewer bleeding episodes and less lens cleaning. Monopolar scissors were used less frequently in the 5-mm group, thus minimizing cauteric lesions and their complications (0 in the 5-mm group vs 2 in the 10-mm group). Overall satisfaction with the 5-mm LigaSure was significantly higher (8.4 +/- 0.18 vs 6.9 +/- 0.41 out of 10; p = 0.002), with significant advantages in terms of dissection capacity, visibility, and handling.
Conclusion:
The 5-mm LigaSure is as secure and fast as the larger 10-mm device and compares favorably in terms of finer dissection as well as trocar flexibility and handling. Therefore, it can be used safely in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

