University Osteopathic Surgeons Use New Ultrasonic Technology
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Tia Trivison, Mgr., Marketing & PR for Clinical
Services, (740) 593-9572
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News Directors: Contact Tia Trivison at (740) 593-9572
with any questions, to line up an interview with one of the
surgeons and/or to acquire black & white photo, 35 mm
color slide or BETA or VHS b-roll footage of the
device.
ATHENS,
Ohio -- It's called a Harmonic Scalpel -- but it's not
musical notes that this instrument produces that has doctors
and patients singing its praises. Rather it's how the
ultrasonic sound waves are being harnessed to help surgeons
from the University Osteopathic Medical Center (UOMC) make
precise incisions and surgery more gentle on their patients.
In the
past, surgeons had several energy-based technologies, which
they could use to cut with during procedures in the
operating room. Two of those included electrosurgery and
lasers, utilizing electric and light energy.
Beginning
in 1990 a new application for ultrasonic energy emerged for
use during traditional or "open" surgery and for
videoscopic, also known as laparoscopic, procedures.
Ultrasonic
energy uses sound waves that turn electrical energy into
mechanical motion. Unlike lasers and electrosurgical
devices, which use light and intense electrical energy and
which operate at very high temperatures to vaporize or burn
through human tissue, ultrasonic surgical instruments make
incisions at much lower temperatures. This may result in
less damage to sensitive tissue layers in the patient.
James Bove
III, DO and J. Michael Sutherland, DO, both general surgeons
at the UOMC, are now using an advanced ultrasonic device
known as UltraCision™ or Harmonic Scalpel in the
operating rooms at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital and Doctor's
Hospital of Nelsonville.
The device
is powered by a generator that creates a computer controlled
signal that travels through a hand piece, where electrical
energy is converted to mechanical motion, and along a shaft
and then to an attached blade. This energy causes the blade
to vibrate at 55,500 times per second.
The high
speed of the blade allows UltraCision™ to cut and
coagulate (seal) vessels simultaneously, possibly reducing
bleeding and tissue damage to the patient. The device may be
used in videoscopic and open surgical procedures for
gallbladder, laparoscopic bladder neck suspension for the
treatment of urinary stress incontinence, gastroesophageal
reflux surgery for the treatment of chronic heartburn,
laparoscopically-assisted hysterectomy and for the treatment
of endometriosis.
In
videoscopic procedures, the surgeon makes a series of small
1/4 to 1/2 inch incisions in the patient's body to create a
passageway for a tiny video camera and UltraCision™.
Images are then transmitted to video monitors in the
operating room. The procedure is then performed using the
device to cut tissue and seal blood vessels with minimal
trauma to the patient.
Since some
post-operative complications can be caused by the large
incision common in open surgery, use of the device with
videoscopic surgery may reduce pain, scarring and recovery
time. In addition, unlike electrosurgery and lasers, there
is minimal risk of electrical energy being transferred
through to the patient or the surgeon.
"Not only
does this device provide us with a new way of performing
various procedures, it also means less possible tissue
damage, minimal risk of electrical injury to the patient and
a clearer visual field on the television monitors" explained
Dr. Bove.
"But more
importantly this kind of advance in medical device
technology can mean a faster recovery, less pain and
scarring for the patient and reduced overall costs to the
health care system at large."
UltraCision™
was approved for use in traditional open surgery in 1990 and
for videoscopic surgical procedures in 1991. Since then, the
device has been used by thousands of surgeons around the
world. Many of the top experts in the surgical community
believe that ultrasonic energy is the wave of the future and
will play a lead role in the advancement of videoscopic
surgery for a broad range of procedures.
Among the
fields being studied for future applications of ultrasonic
technology are cardiac and vascular surgery; plastic and
reconstructive surgery; dermatology and arthroscopic
surgery.
