Can Bipolar Electrosurgery Be Performed Over Suture Sites Without Compromising Tensile Strength of Suture Material During Laparoscopic Myomectomy?

Study ObjectiveTo estimate whether additional bleeding control can be safely achieved during laparoscopic myomectomy using bipolar electrosurgery over the suture sites in patients with blood oozing despite sufficient myometrial sutures.DesignRetrospective case control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1).SettingUniversity teaching hospital.PatientsOne hundred twenty-six women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy performed by one surgeon.InterventionsChanges in maximum tensile strength of various suture materials were measured at tensinometry after bipolar electrosurgery or diathermy. Bipolar electrosurgery was performed over suture sites during laparoscopic myomectomy after adequate suturing (bipolar group, n = 64). Clinical outcomes were compared with those in matched controls (control group, n = 62].Measurements and Main ResultsPolyglactin 910 (Vicryl) and glycolide-lactide copolymer (Polysorb) sutures exhibited no substantial changes in maximum tensile strength after 2 seconds of bipolar electrosurgery. However, both sutures demonstrated a decrease in maximum tensile strength of 43.5% and 17.4%, respectively, after 4 seconds of bipolar electrosurgery at 40 W. Compared with the control group, in the bipolar group mean (SD) postoperative hemoglobin concentration was higher (11.1 [1.3] g/dL vs 10.5 [1.3] g/dL), total drainage volume was less (244.6 [133.7] mL vs 380.2 [196.0] mL), a drain was required for a shorter time (2.0 [0.7] days vs 2.8 [0.7] days), and hospital stay was shorter (4.3 [1.6] days vs 5.3 [1.7] days) (p <.05).ConclusionsDuring laparoscopic myomectomy, additional bleeding control can be achieved by using careful short duration bipolar electrosurgery over the suture site. However, application of excessive bipolar electrosurgery (>40 W and ≥4 seconds) tends to weaken suture material.