Clinical application of the harmonic scalpel in totall extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy

Objective: To explore the value of a harmonic scalpel in totally extraperitoneal(TEP) inguinal hernioplasty. Methods: One hundred and thirty-seven patients who accepted TEP operation,were prospectively studied from March 2008 to August 2010 in our department:53 patients were accepted surgery with harmonic scalpel,84 patients were accepted standard surgery. The sex,age,follow-up time,type of hernia,surgery time,bleeding,intraoperative complications,transformation of other methods,postoperative drainage volume and complications were recorded. Results: There were no significant differences between harmonic scalpel group and control group at sex,age,follow-up time,type of hernia,surgery time,intraoperative complications,the second-day postoperative drainage volume and late postoperative complications(P > 0.05). The bleeding,the first-day postoperative drainage volume and hematoma,in harmonic scalpel group were significantly lower than those of control group (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The Harmonic Scalpel can be usd to reduce bleeding and complications.