Comparative Study of Early Postoperative Complications Between Vessel Sealing System Device and Conventional Suture Ligation in Total Thyroidectomy

Background: The imperative to ensure the safety of thyroid surgery and to reduce its adverse effects motivates surgeons to explore novel technologies. The vessel sealing system device (VSSD) (Ethicon Endosurgery) was introduced into the surgeon's armamentarium almost two decades ago. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of early postoperative complications (including bleeding, hypocalcaemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and operative time) between conventional suture ligation and the sealing vessel device in a cohort of approximately 126 cases at Baghdad Teaching Hospital/Medical City. Patients and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent total thyroidectomy by two techniques (conventional suture ligation and the vessel sealing system device) at Baghdad Teaching Hospital and Medical City. The study aimed to compare the incidence of early postoperative complications, including hypocalcaemia, bleeding, and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, between the two techniques. The results demonstrated that the vessel sealing system significantly reduced the operative time, postoperative hypocalcaemia, and bleeding. Additionally, the risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was reduced, although this was not statistically significant in comparison with conventional suture ligation. In conclusion, the vessel sealing system is a reliable and safe tool for reducing operative time and postoperative hypocalcaemia and bleeding.