Electrothermal bipolar tissue sealing systems in lung surgery

Various techniques have been proposed to reduce intraoperative blood loss in surgery. We report our experience with the use of LigaSure, a new electrothermal bipolar tissue sealing system, in lung surgery. This system has been already applied with good results in other surgical fields. However, the experience reported in the literature with the use of this technique in lung surgery is limited. Our clinical series with LigaSure (160 procedures in a 4-year period) is the largest reported to date. Technical aspects, clinical results and an overview of the literature are presented. We believe that LigaSure is an easy and safe technique, suitable for lung surgery. It could be a valid alternative or complement to staplers for several procedures, also in the thoracoscopic setting. Furthermore, it seems to allow functional lung tissue preservation and reduction of surgical supplies costs.