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Evaluation of thermal damage in a pig model
Ralf Rothmund1, Daniel Schaeller, Alexander Neugebauer A
1Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstr. 7, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
Summary
Ex vivo and in vivo electrosurgical vessel sealing show comparable thermal lateral damage (TL). This finding suggests that ex vivo models can reliably assess TL, potentially streamlining future research on bipolar electrocoagulation devices.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Technology
- Medical Devices
- Experimental Surgery
Background:
- Electrosurgical vessel sealing offers efficient hemostasis but can cause thermal lateral damage (TL).
- Comparing in vivo and ex vivo TL is crucial for refining surgical techniques and device development.
- Two bipolar vessel sealing instruments were evaluated in an epigastric vein animal model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare thermal lateral damage (TL) in vivo versus ex vivo.
- To evaluate two distinct bipolar vessel sealing instruments.
- To assess the reliability of ex vivo models for TL assessment.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized study involved 96 thermofusions of epigastric veins.
- Bipolar vessel sealing was performed both in vivo and ex vivo using Maryland and Kelly clamps.
- Thermal lateral damage was quantified using infrared measurement, light microscopy, and histological analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in TL was observed between in vivo and ex vivo coagulation for the Kelly clamp.
- The Maryland clamp demonstrated significantly greater TL in vivo compared to ex vivo based on stereomicroscopic measurements.
- Overall, ex vivo TL measurements closely mirrored in vivo findings.
Conclusions:
- Ex vivo thermal lateral damage results are comparable to in vivo findings.
- Ex vivo models may serve as a viable alternative for TL assessment, reducing the need for in vivo studies.
- This comparability can facilitate future research and development of bipolar electrocoagulation devices.
