COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICACY OF MONOPOLAR ELECTROCAUTERY AND ULTRASONIC SHEARS IN LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDECTOMY

Abstract

Aim: To compare efficacy of monopolar electro cautery and ultrasonic shears for laparoscopic appendectomy in terms of operating time, intraoperative hemostasis, post-operative pain, surgical site infection and post-operative hospital stay. Methods: In this prospective comparative study, conducted in R L Jalappa Hospital, Kolar, patients were divided into two groups using odd- even method (alternate method) to include similar type of cases in both groups. Each group included 22 patients, and underwent laparoscopic appendectomy using ultrasonic shears or monopolar electro cautery. Results: Most of the patients were in the age group of 21 to 30 years. Majority were males. Significant differences were noted in terms of operating time, pain score on 24 hours postoperatively, intraoperative hemostasis and duration of post-operative hospital stay. These parameters were less in ultrasonic shears group compared to conventional Monopolar electro cautery group. Complications like surgical site infection were relatively same in both the groups. Conclusion: Use of ultrasonic shears was found to be safe, effective and beneficial in reducing operative time and achieving better intraoperative hemostasis. Ultrasonic shears serves as an alternative to the Monopolar electro cautery in laparoscopic appendectomy. There is a decrease in the post-operative hospital stay in ultrasonic shear group. The intensity of pain perceived by patients in the ultrasonic shear group is less compared to monopolar electro cautery group. The cost of ultrasonic shear is more compared to monopolar electro cautery, which limits its regular use in laparoscopic appendectomy.