A. Yakirevitch, G. Nakache, N. Lipschitz, E.E. Alon, M. Wolf and Y.P. Talmi
Background: Tracheostomy is a frequent, and at times semiurgent, surgical procedure. It is performed in close proximity to the thyroid gland, and in many cases requires division of its isthmus putting a patient in danger of significant bleeding.
Objectives: To examine prospectively the feasibility of vessel sealing in tracheostomy.
Methods: A vessel-sealing device was used in 24 consecutive patients undergoing tracheostomy. There were no exclusion criteria for enrolling the patients. No other hemostatic technique was used for dividing the isthmus.
Results: There were no bleeding events throughout the postoperative period. The operating time savingwas 5–10 minutes.
Conclusions: Use of the vessel sealer was found to be straightforward, efficacious, rapid and safe.