When a surgeon conducts a laparoscopic surgery, a need may exist to ligate the blood vessels or tissues with the aim to reduce the blood supply to a certain body part. For this purpose, vessel sealing systems are employed. A multiplicity exists in the available options for the sealing of vessels during surgery. One of these is the LigaSure vessel sealing system.
What is LigaSure vessel sealing system?
LigaSure vessel sealing system is a vessel welding device that works on the principle of electrothermal heat generation and transfer to the target site. This way, a vessel can be sealed with minimum time and maximum efficiency.
LigaSure vessel sealing device
Characteristics of LigaSure vessel sealing system
The LigaSure vessel sealing system has the following characteristics:
| Parameters | LigaSure vessel sealing device (LVSS) |
| Working principle | The LigaSure device works on the principle of electrosurgery i.e. it has the potential to convert the electric current provided to it into heat which further melts and seals the vessel tissue. |
| Operation time (min) | With the use of LigaSure device, the operation of the surgery is lesser in relation to that with the use of harmonic scalpel. The average time of surgery with LigaSure device is 187.6 min. |
| Visibility | During its working, the LigaSure system generates heat to seal the tissue. This cooking of tissue can generate smoke which can thus reduce the visibility near the area where the surgery is being done. |
| Burst pressure (mm Hg) | With LVSS employment, the burst pressure remains moderate i.e. between 591 to 836 mm Hg. |
| Thermal spread | The lateral thermal spread with the use of LigaSure device does not exceed 2 mm. |
| Cost of the surgery (e.g. thyroidectomy) | For thyroidectomy, the surgical procedure can be conducted with an approximate budget of $2,300. |
| Post-operative levels of calcium (mg/dl) | The post-operative calcium levels after the surgery with LVSS are, on average, 8.2 mg/dl. |
Types of LigaSure devices based on their jaw shape
LigaSure devices are not restricted to a single design. Rather, several tip modifications are available in the market which is given as follows:
LigaSure retractable L-hook laparoscopic sealer/divider
L-hook LigaSure device is a preferred choice for conducting gastrotomy (i.e. surgical incision in the stomach) and enterotomy (i.e. surgical incision of the intestines).
LigaSure retractable L-hook laparoscopic sealer/divider
LigaSure blunt tip open and laparoscopic sealer/divider with nano-coating
Due to having a nano-particle coating, the tip of the blunt end LigaSure device is easy to clean with 88% lesser sticking. The device is suitable for the following surgeries:
- General surgeries
- Urological surgeries
- Vascular surgeries
- Thoracic surgeries
- Gynecological surgeries
LigaSure blunt tip open and laparoscopic sealer/divider with nano-coating
LigaSure Maryland jaw thoracic sealer/divider with nano-coating
The Maryland jaw is available in three lengths i.e. 23, 37, and 44 cm. Thus, it provides easy access to the target tissue. In comparison to straight jaw, the visibility of the tissue is greater with the use of Maryland jaw LigaSure device. Moreover, its nano-coating renders it non-sticky to the body tissues.
LigaSure Maryland jaw thoracic sealer/divider with nano-coating
LigaSure small jaw open sealer/divider
LigaSure small jaw open sealer has an 18.8 cm long jaw. It has suitability for the surgeries in which the temperature is to be kept as lower as possible. The device is suitable for the surgeries of:
- Ear, nose, and throat (ENT)
- Urologic surgeries
- Thoracic surgeries
- Plastic or reconstructive surgeries
- General surgeries
LigaSure small jaw open sealer/divider
LigaSure curved jaw open sealer/divider
This device has been proven to cause the least post-operative pain. Additionally, lesser hospitalization, as well as blood loss, has been reported with the use of the curved jaw LigaSure devices.
LigaSure curved jaw open sealer/divider
LigaSure atlas tissue fusion open instrument
The device is suitable for:
- Adhesiolysis
- Gastric bypass
- Colon resection
- Cystectomy
- Gastrectomy
- Splenectomy
- Nephrectomy
- Radical prostatectomy
- Salpingo-oophorectomy
- Abdominal hysterectomy
LigaSure atlas tissue fusion open instrument
LigaSure dolphin tip open sealer/divider
LigaSure dolphin tip open sealer is an ideal option to conduct the following surgeries:
- Whipple
- Breast surgeries
- Colectomy
- Axillary dissection
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- Liver resection
- Nephrectomy
- Prostatectomy
- Cystectomy
- Splenectomy
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
- Gynecological surgeries
LigaSure dolphin tip open sealer/divider
LigaSure exact dissector
The LigaSure exact dissector is a device that provides the advantage of fewer instrument exchanges along with greater efficiency in the operating room procedures.
LigaSure exact dissector
Choosing a LigaSure vessel sealing device
Choosing the right vessel sealing system is a critical step before conducting surgery. A system with maximum advantageous features with the minimum potential to cause side effects dominates the other options. LigaSure vessel sealing system is one such product which has great functionality. With vast options available in the market, physicians have to make a choice to select the right type of device for the intended surgery. Thanks to the general attributes associated with all the LigaSure devices, all the types of sealing systems are effective, easy to use, reliable, and time-efficient. The choice of the right type of LigaSure device depends upon the following factors:
- The type of surgery intended to be done
- The type of tissue to be sealed
- The location of the tissue i.e. shallow or deeper tissues
Applications of LigaSure tissue welding device
The LigaSure vessel sealing devices have great utility in the following surgeries among others which are specific to each one of them:
- Endocrine surgeries
- Colorectal surgeries
- Antireflux surgeries
- Liver resection surgery
- Esophageal cancer surgery
- Thyroid lobectomy i.e. the removal of thyroid lobes
- Tonsillectomy i.e. the removal of tonsils
- Haemorrhoidectomy i.e. the removal of piles of hemorrhoids
- Myomectomy i.e. the removal of fibroids present in the uterus
- Hysterectomy i.e. the removal of the uterus
- Lymphaticovenous anastomosis i.e. the surgical treatment of the vessels of the lymphatic system
- Angioplasty i.e. blood vessels surgery
Conclusion
LigaSure vessel sealing system is one of the trusted and most widely used vessel welding devices. Its availability in different types with varying tip sizes and designs has further enhanced its functionality in operating rooms. Along with the various advantages associated with the LigaSure device, its wide range of types has certainly made it the physician’s preferred product.
