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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
BiClamp forceps significantly shorten the operation time for breast surgery
Hideki Takeuchi1, Toshiaki Saeki, Takashi Shigekawa
1Department of Breast Oncology, Saitama Medical University, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan.
Purpose:
A novel approach was introduced for breast surgery using the BiClamp, a new bipolar thermal energy device, to avoid complications and to shorten the time required for the dissection of the axillary lymph nodes.
Methods:
Thirty-six patients with early breast cancer were assessed. The surgical parameters were compared between the procedures performed using the BiClamp technique (n = 14) and conventional surgery with suture ligation (n = 22). The parameters included the operation time, blood loss, and discharge on the first postoperative day. In addition, each of those parameters was compared between the patients with a high body mass index (BMI) (>22) and a low BMI (< or =22). The sealed vessels were examined histologically and heat-associated morphological vessel wall alterations were evaluated.
Results:
The operation time was significantly shorter in the BiClamp group than in the control group (P = 0.017, 90 +/- 18 vs 115 +/- 33 min). In addition, the blood loss in the BiClamp group tended to be smaller than in the control group, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.54, 61 +/- 47 vs 74 +/- 67 g). No other parameters showed any significant differences between the two groups.
Conclusion:
The BiClamp thermofusion technique was safe and useful in breast surgery involving axillary dissection.
