Comparative Analysis of Monopolar Electrocautery and Ultrasonic Activated Scalpel in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A...

Introduction Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has long been the cornerstone of gallstone treatment. Both monopolar cautery and ultrasonically activated scalpel (UAS, also known as harmonic scalpel) have been employed in the dissection of the gallbladder from its fossa during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Material and methods The prospective study was conducted in the Department of Surgery at Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences including 200 patients equally divided among the monopolar cautery and harmonic scalpel group. Patients were observed for 48 hours post-surgery, during which temperature and pain assessment were done. Acute phase reactants were measured during this period and compared with preoperative values. On the seventh day ultrasonography was done to look for the inflammatory changes. Results In a study involving 200 patients, the majority fell within the age bracket of 31 to 50 years, with females constituting the predominant demographic. Notably, patients who underwent surgery with a harmonic scalpel exhibited a reduced need for analgesics. Furthermore, the use of harmonic scalpels led to noteworthy alterations in acute phase reactants, including a significant decrease in the total leucocyte count (TLC) (p=0.03), neutrophils (p=0.005), and lymphocytes (p=0.02). Additionally, patients in the UAS group experienced a significantly lesser increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values (p=0.0001). Conversely, ultrasound imaging conducted on the seventh day post-surgery did not reveal any significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed with a harmonic scalpel is associated with a reduced tissue response and less tissue damage compared to the monopolar group.