Use of the LigaSure™ vessel sealing system in neurofibroma excision to control postoperative bleeding.

Abstract

The resection of neurofibromas in Von Recklinghausen's disease (NF-1) is frequently complicated by potentially life-threatening intraoperative and postoperative hemorrhage, due to the high tumor vascularity and tissue friability. This report describes a novel technique for the resection of neurofibromas using the LigaSure™ (Valleylab, Tyco International Healthcare, Boulder, CO) vessel sealing system. We compared five cases of NF-1 tumor removal which used this vessel sealing system, with six cases that did not, and recorded the intraoperative and postoperative blood loss, length of hospitalization, and postoperative complications. In all cases employing the LigaSure™, the perioperative blood loss was less than 600 ml (30 ∼ 570 ml), and no patient developed a postoperative hematoma or other bleeding complications. In contrast, the cases not using the LigaSure™ had greater blood loss as well as a higher rate of postoperative hematomas. The LigaSure™ provides excellent hemostasis with few complications when used for neurofibroma removal.