[The use of ThermoStapler--bipolar vessel sealing system in vaginal hysterectomy]

The following study has been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of computer-controlled bipolar vessel sealing system (ThermoStapler, EMED), as an alternative to sutures, in order to achieve haemostasis during vaginal hysterectomy.

One hundred and twenty patients have undergone vaginal hysterectomy, half of them with the use of ThermoStapler vessel sealing system (n = 60) and the other half with standard surgical technique (n = 60). Data compared in this retrospective study included the time of surgery, hemoglobin loss after the surgery, postoperative need for pain medication, duration of the hospital stay and intra/post-operative complications.

The time of surgery proved to be shorter, although not significantly, in the group of vaginal hysterectomy with sutures when compared to the other group. The intra-operative blood loss, confirmed by pre- and postoperative hemoglobin measurements, appeared to be slightly lower in the ThermoStapler group. However, postoperative need for pain medication was significantly less frequent in the bipolar forceps group (P < 0.05). Complications and the duration of the hospital stay were similar in case of both groups.

ThermoStapler bipolar vessel sealing system (EMED) proves to be a valuable alternative to traditional technique using surgical sutures, and an effective and safe method of achieving haemostasis during vaginal hysterectomy, resulting in significantly reduced need for pain medication during hospitalization.