Do new vessel sealing devices and harmonic ace increase ureteric injury in total laparoscopic hysterectomy?

Objectives: To compare the risk of ureteric injury in total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) using new vessel sealing devices (VSDs) and harmonic scalpel with simple scissors, bipolar and suturing. This was an evaluation of 1209 cases, carried out from May 1999 to April 2010.

Design and setting: A retrospective comparative study was carried out at a tertiary gynecological endoscopic unit.

Materials and methods: Out of 1209 patients, who had hysterectomies for various indications, TLH was done in 892 patients, 273 had vaginal hysterectomy and 44 had abdominal hysterectomy. We evaluated the incidence of ureteric injury in these cases.

Results: There was no mortality. In the group of vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy, there were no ureteric injuries. In the TLH group, we had 390 cases with simple scissors, bipolar and suturing with no ureteric injury. In 502 cases, new VSDs, e.g., plasma kinetic gyrus, Martin Maxim with Robi grasper, with or without harmonic 5 mm scalpel/ace were used. There were five ureteric injuries, all on the right side (one double ureter): first case was with Martin Maxim and Robi grasper, two with plasma kinetic gyrus 10 mm trissector, one with harmonic scalpel and the last one with scissors. We evaluated the reasons for such ureteric injuries, with experienced laparoscopic surgeons and the best possible set up. There were seven conversions to open surgery out of 892 cases of TLH, more due to poor case selection.