Usefulness of bipolar scissors for total colectomy.

Abstract

Total colectomy is frequently used in colorectal surgery. We evaluated the usefulness of bipolar scissors in this operation. Twenty patients with ulcerative colitis underwent total colectomy at Hyogo College Hospital. Bipolar scissors were used in ten randomly chosen colectomies. The resected major vessels of the colonic mesentery were stained by hematoxylin and eosin. The bursting pressure of the artery weld was measured with a water-filled, open-tip catheter. Both number of ligations and operating time were reduced by use of bipolar scissors. The cut edge of the major artery was occluded by the weld created, with a mean bursting pressure of 213 (range, 175-250) mmHg. Use of bipolar scissors was safe and had the advantage of shortening the operating time by decreasing the number of clamping and ligating procedures.