Safer Surgery to Reduce Hospital Stay

20 May 2005

Greenslopes Private Hospital is using a new more powerful ultrasonic harmonic scalpel in laparoscopic surgery for the first time in Australia on Monday 23 May.

Specialist Surgeon, Dr Ian Martin is using the scalpel in a laparoscopic procedure to prevent reflux of acid from the stomach back into the oesophagus. Till now these keyhole surgery procedures have relied on simple scissors and diathermy for cutting the tissues and stopping bleeding.

This newer harmonic scalpel uses high frequency sound waves to rapidly cut and stop bleeding at the same time. There is therefore less danger of burns from the electrical diathermy during the surgery nor bleeding as the surgeon dissects through the anatomical structures.

This new technology will lead to quicker and safer surgery as there will be little blood to mask the important anatomical structures.

The safety of this new device over diathermy will allow the surgeon to dissect other major structures away from the operative field. This will lead to less damage during the operations and less likelihood of the operations being changed to major open procedures because of bleeding. It will also lead to higher success rates for the surgery because of the better vision during the operation.

“The general introduction of this technology means patients will be home faster with less pain and higher success rates from their operations,” Dr Martin said.