Outcomes of the vessel sealing device versus the conventional technique in thyroidectomy
Abstract
https://doi.org/10.31386/dmj.2026.20.2.8
Abstract
Background: Thyroidectomy treats thyroid cancer, goiters, and hyperthyroidism. This study compares vessel sealing device (VSD) and conventional knot tying, evaluating their effectiveness in clinical outcomes, focusing on hemostasis, surgery time, bleeding, and postoperative recovery in thyroid disease patients.
Methods: This prospective clinical trial enrolled 100 patients diagnosed with thyroid gland disease and assigned to one of two surgical techniques. Sixty patients underwent surgery using the VSD, while 40 received the conventional suture ligation technique in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in 2025. Outcomes were compared both intraoperatively and postoperatively.
Results: Patients were similar in age, gender, goiter type, symptoms, thyroid status, imaging findings, surgery type (mostly total thyroidectomy), disease duration, and preoperative diagnostics (TIRADS/FNAC at the preoperative step). VSD significantly reduced surgery duration (59.25 vs. 95.63 min; p<0.0001), with 40% requiring no sutures versus 0% in the conventional group (p<0.0001). Drainage was less frequent with VSD (76.67% vs. 100%; p=0.0006), though duration (24 hours) and hospital stay (1 day) were similar. Postoperative pain was milder with VSD (80% mild vs. 30% in conventional; p<0.0001) and required only paracetamol (100% vs. 87.5%; p=0.0087). Moderate pain was higher in the conventional group (57.5% vs. 20%; p<0.0001). Intraoperative bleeding was higher with VSD (33.33% vs. 12.50%; p=0.0200), but postoperative bleeding and seroma were absent in both. Complications like tingling, voice change, and infection were low and comparable.
Conclusion: VSD reduces surgery time and pain, improves comfort, and offers similar safety to conventional thyroidectomy, despite more intraoperative bleeding, making it a valuable surgical alternative.
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References
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Duhok Medical Journal (DMJ)
College of Medicine, University of Duhok
Duhok, Iraq
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