Tissue damage in abdominal hysterectomy performed with a vessel sealing system

Aim: To compare the tissue damage, operation times, blood loss, short-term postoperative complication rates, and hospitalization durations of abdominal hysterectomies performed due to benign gynecological conditions using the LigaSure vessel sealing system (LVSS) and conventional suture ligation. Materials and methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled in LVSS (TAH-L group, 22 cases) and suture ligation (TAH-S group, 31 cases) groups. Anesthesia time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative and short- term postoperative complications, and hospitalization durations were compared between the groups. Tissue damage was assessed by comparing changes in C-reactive protein, creatine phosphokinase levels, and white blood cell counts on preoperative and postoperative days 1 and 2. Blood loss was further evaluated by comparing changes in hemoglobin (Hg) levels on preoperative and postoperative days 1 and 2. Results: Operation time, blood loss, postoperative short-term complications, and hospitalization durations were similar in the TAH-L and TAH-S groups. Changes in the biochemical markers of tissue damage and Hg levels were also similar in the groups. Conclusion: The LVSS is safe and leads to similar tissue damage as the conventional suture ligation technique in abdominal hysterectomies performed due to benign gynecologic conditions.