Neck dissection with the harmonic scalpel in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

Abstract

Our purpose was to evaluate the use of the Harmonic scalpel in neck dissections.

Material and methods: We conducted a randomized prospective intervention study to compare the Harmonic scalpel (32 patients) with the conventional technique (31 patients).

Results: Operative time was lowered by 64 min (p < 0.001) and 7.5 min (p = 0.367); blood lost during surgery was lowered by 80.5 ml (p < 0.001) and 76.6 ml (p < 0.001); the length of time the drains were kept in place was lowered by 1.3 days (p < 0.001) and 1.5 days (p < 0.01); and the volume of drainage was lower by 228.7 ml (p < 0.001) and 187.6 ml (p < 0.01) in selective and comprehensive neck dissections respectively in patients treated with the Harmonic scalpel.

Conclusions: The Harmonic scalpel shortens operative time in selective dissections. It reduces blood loss during surgery; time drains are kept in place and the amount of drainage in comprehensive and selective neck dissections.

Keywords: Comprehensive neck dissection; Neck dissection; Selective neck dissection; Squamous cell carcinoma; Surgical treatment for squamous cell carcinoma.