ABSTRACT

LigaSure® (LS) is an energy-based surgical hemostasis device recently introduced in thyroid surgeries. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of using the LS system and conventional clamp-and-tie (CT) technique for total thyroidectomy in terms of surgical time, hospitalization, blood loss and complications. In this prospective controlled study, a total of 104 patients with benign goiter disorders were enrolled. During the period between January 1, 2018 and December 30, 2020, all participating patients underwent thyroidectomy in the surgical wards of the Baqubah and Kirkuk hospitals, northern Iraq. These study subjects were subdivided into 2 groups each comprising equal number of patients. LigaSure diathermy system was applied to the patients in first group i.e. LS group whereas, conventional ligation was used in the other group i.e. CT group. Surgical outcomes were compared between both groups and the results showed considerable differences regarding the time of surgery, hospital stay, blood loss during and after surgery, hematoma, and laryngeal nerve paralysis (p < 0.05). Thus, the study concluded that performing thyroidectomy using the Ligasure system is safe with least possible complications involved.