Spiral enteroscopy: prime time or for the happy few?

Spiral enteroscopy is the newest of the deep enteroscopy techniques. The current technique employs an overtube with a raised spiral at the distal end to pleat the small intestine and achieve deep small bowel intubation. Although spiral enteroscopy is a novel technique, the learning curve is comparable to the balloon enteroscopy techniques.

Initial experience using a bipolar radiofrequency ablation device for hemostasis during thyroidectomy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel bipolar radiofrequency ablation (BRFA) device using nanotechnology for division of all named vessels during thyroidectomy.

Methods: All thyroidectomies from January 2008 to July 2010 at a single institution used the BRFA device (EnSeal, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH) for hemostasis. Clinicopathologic data and complications were recorded and compared with existing literature using other energy devices.