Thyroid surgery: comparison between the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system, harmonic scalpel, and classic suture ligation.

Background: This study was conducted to compare the outcome of total thyroidectomy using the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system, the harmonic scalpel, and the classic suture ligation technique.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data from 382 consecutive total thyroidectomies from September 2004 to August 2006. Patients were divided into 3 groups: group SL patients (n = 90) underwent total thyroidectomy with the classic suture ligation technique, group L (n = 148) with the electrothermal bipolar vessel sealer, and group U (n = 144) with the harmonic scalpel.

The use of a harmonic scalpel in thyroid surgery: report of a 3-year experience.

Background: Hemostasis in thyroid surgery is of utmost importance for a successful surgery and an uneventful postoperative course. The present article reports a single surgeon's 3-year experience in the use of the harmonic scalpel. The device was developed in the early 1990s and offered adequate and safe hemostasis for vessels up to 3 mm in width.

Unusual site of recurrent musculoskeletal hydatid cyst: case report and brief review of the literature.

A case of a large multiplex recurrent hydatid cyst involving the left gluteal muscle and the left iliopsoas, accompanied with degeneration of the musculature of the left upper leg is presented along with a review of the relevant literature. Very few such cases have been reported worldwide. The presented case is also distinguished by the involvement of muscles of distant anatomic areas.