Comparison of Electrocautery and Ligasure Vessel Sealing System in
Radial Artery Harvesting as Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Conduit; A
Randomized Trial
Abstract
Background The radial artery (RA) is the second most used conduit in
coronary artery bypass surgeries. The increased harvest of RA demands
new approaches towards the use of this conduit. We aim to compare the
efficiency of electrocautery with the vessel sealing system LigaSure™.
Materials and Methods This is a randomized trial comparing the use of
LigaSure™ vessel sealing system and electrocautery in RA harvesting for
coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients were randomly assigned into two
groups. Group 1 consists of 27 patients operated with The LigaSure™
small jaw sealer/divider and Group 2 consists of 26 patients operated
with electrocautery. Results During the study, 53 patients were
operated. 44 of them were men and 9 of them were women. Difference
between age and BMI were statistically insignificant. The amount of
blood loss from the beginning of harvesting to the end of the closure of
the skin of left arm was significantly less in group 1 (p=0,004). The
difference in number of hemostatic clips before and after the
anastomosis of radial artery to coronary artery are likewise
statistically significant and less in group 1 (p<0,001;
p<0,001 respectively). The amount of blood loss
postoperatively (p>0,6), number of ecchymoses
(p>0,1), hematoma (p>0,1) and infection
postoperatively (p>0,03) are found to be statistically
insignificant. Conclusion The LigaSure™vessel sealing system is found to
be a better option of harvesting in patients that are prone to bleed.