Comparison of Traditional Electrosurgery System versus Low Thermal Tissue Dissection System for Total Mastectomy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Boonsripitayanon M, MD1, Vachiraprakarnsakul P, MD1, Pisarnturakit P, MD1, Tarapongpun T, MD1, Chuthapisith S, MD, MSc, PhD1
Affiliation : 1 Division of Head Neck Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : This study aimed to compare total drainage volume between patients underwent total mastectomy using traditional
electrosurgery and low thermal tissue dissection system.
Materials and Methods : This is randomized controlled trial included total 50 patients who underwent mastectomy at Division of
Head Neck Breast Surgery Siriraj Hospital. Twenty-five patients received traditional electrosurgery system during mastectomy
whereas twenty-five patients received low thermal tissue dissection system (PEAK Plasmablade®). Total seroma volume, drainage
duration, estimated blood loss, operative time, post-operative hospital stay, pain score, number of aspiration post tube drain removal
and other post-operative complications were recorded and were compared between two group using SPSS Statistics for Mac
version 21.
Results : Average age in the traditional electrosurgery (control) group was 59.32+2.09 years and was 60.44+2.09 years in the low
thermal dissection (experimental) group. Overall, both groups had similar types of operation. Median drainage volume was 590 ml
in the traditional electrosurgery group and 790 ml in the low thermal dissection group. The median drainage duration in the
traditional electrosurgery group was 4 days which were similar to the low thermal dissection group.
Conclusion : The low thermal tissue dissection system demonstrated no superior advantages compared with the traditional
electrosurgery system in mastectomy patients.
Keywords : Low thermal tissue dissection, Mastectomy, Traditional electrosurgery, Seroma
