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what is a harmonic scalpel used for

by Kailee Kling Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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THE HARMONIC scalpel is a new device that has been introduced to surgery during the last decade. It is a device that uses high-frequency mechanical energy to cut and coagulate tissues at the same time. Laparoscopists were the first ones to use this method widely.

Full Answer

How does a harmonic scalpel work?

A harmonic scalpel, on the other hand, functions through vibration. The surface of the scalpel cuts through tissues by vibrating in the range of twenty thousand to sixty thousand hertz. This high vibration frequency of the tissue molecules generates friction and stress in the tissues.

What is the difference between harmonic scalpel and Bovie?

The technique causes a minimal transfer of energy to the surrounding tissues and prevents collateral damage. In addition, a Bovie may be used to coagulate bleeding tissues anytime, but a harmonic scalpel can only coagulate as it cuts.

What are the components of laparoscopic scalpel?

The general component of laparoscopic instrument includes the hand grip, shaft, jaw and the tip. The harmonic scalpel is a surgical instrument used to simultaneously cut and cauterize tissue. It is the latest device to have been introduced in last decade or so.

What is the purpose of the harmonic ® hand piece?

The HARMONIC ® Hand Piece is used with HARMONIC ACE+7 Shears and HARMONIC ACE+ Shears product line as well as laparoscopic blades. HARMONIC ® HD 1000i Shears do not require a hand piece.

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When is a harmonic scalpel used?

The harmonic scalpel is a surgical instrument used to simultaneously cut and cauterize tissue.

What are the advantages of the harmonic scalpel?

The Harmonic Scalpel's biggest advantage is the reduced bleeding and recovery time for the patient. Other advantages include the ability for a surgeon to make more precise cuts, and an overall reduction of lateral thermal tissue damage in comparison to other operating devices. A Harmonic scalpel cuts via vibration.

How does a harmonic scalpel work?

Mechanism. A harmonic scalpel cuts via vibration. The scalpel surface itself cuts through tissue by vibrating in the range of 55,500 Hz. The high frequency vibration of tissue molecules generates stress and friction in tissue, which generates heat and causes protein denaturation.

What is the difference between LigaSure and harmonic scalpel?

Unlike the LigaSure, the Harmonic scalpel is also able to cut through tissue as it coagulates. Both the LigaSure device and Harmonic scalpel have been demonstrated to be safe in numerous papers [17-20].

Why harmonic mean is better?

The harmonic mean helps to find multiplicative or divisor relationships between fractions without worrying about common denominators. Harmonic means are often used in averaging things like rates (e.g., the average travel speed given a duration of several trips).

Which scalpel is sharpest?

The #11 – A long, triangular blade with the hypotenuse as its sharpest edge. Because of its pointed tip, it is typically used for stabbing incisions and/or short, precise cuts that are shallow.

Is harmonic scalpel reusable?

Conclusions: The results of our study support the reuse of Harmonic scalpels especially in the settings where economic constraints might hamper access to minimally invasive surgery to a larger number of patients.

Why are harmonics unwanted?

Generally, positive sequence harmonics are undesirable because they are responsible for overheating of conductors, power lines and transformers due to the addition of the waveforms.

How hot does a harmonic scalpel get?

The shear can coagulate vessels up to 5 mm, whereas the hook and blade only 2 mm in diameter. The HS probes reach the temperature of 8°C and even on prolonged use stays below 250°C which is far less than other electrosurgical sources resulting in reduced lateral thermal spread and charring.

Does LigaSure cut tissue?

The LigaSure Impact™ sealer/divider can grasp, seal, and cut tissue independently — or you can perform all three in one step. The device's large jaws also: Enable fast transection. Minimize the need for multiple activations.

What procedures are LigaSure used for?

LigaSure vessel sealing technology works by applying a precise amount of bipolar energy and pressure to fuse the collagen and elastin in the vessel walls. It effectively seals vessels 1 to 7 mm in diameter with minimal sticking, charring, or thermal spread.

Which is better scalpel or laser?

On a daily basis we have been asked about the advantages of doing surgeries by laser instead of scalpel blades and the answer is: Less Pain, Less Swelling and Less Bleeding.

What is special about harmonic instruments?

In music, harmonics are used on string instruments and wind instruments as a way of producing sound on the instrument, particularly to play higher notes and, with strings, obtain notes that have a unique sound quality or "tone colour". On strings, bowed harmonics have a "glassy", pure tone.

What are some benefits of laser scalpels?

Use of the laser minimizes the risk of damage to adjacent tissues when compared to traditional surgical methods. Therefore, healing time is quicker and there is less post op discomfort than with traditional methods which require a scalpel and/or cauterizing procedure.

What is the advantage of having a right angled instrument?

Its principal use is to provide an atraumatic way to control haemostasis in the surgical field. For this purpose, the instrument features a pair of right-angled jaws that ensure access into hard-reaching cavities. In addition, the fully-serrated working end profile enhances gripping and minimizes clamping injury.

What is considered to be the main advantage of electrosurgery?

Its benefits include the ability to make precise cuts with limited blood loss. Electrosurgical devices are frequently used during surgical operations helping to prevent blood loss in hospital operating rooms or in outpatient procedures. In electrosurgical procedures, the tissue is heated by an electric current.

What is the purpose of the Harmonic Scalpel?

Energy devices such as the Harmonic Scalpel (Ethicon, Cincinnati, Ohio) and LigaSure (Valleyabs, Boulder, Colorado) have evolved; both can be used to divide and seal vessels up to 7 mm in diameter.72–75 Each device has strengths and weaknesses.

How to open rectovaginal septum?

The rectovaginal septum is opened using electrocautery, harmonic scalpel, or laser. Blunt dissection with blunt-tipped dissectors or dolphin-tipped dissectors, hydrodissection, or sharp dissection may be used to open the rectovaginal space down to the perineal body. This dissection should follow surgical planes and be bloodless. The perineal body is sutured to the rectovaginal septum. The rectovaginal fascial defects are closed with a No. 0 nonabsorbable suture. If the rectovaginal fascia is detached from the iliococcygeus fascia, it is reattached with a No. 0 nonabsorbable suture. The medial aspects of the levator ani muscles may also be plicated, but care should be taken to avoid a posterior vaginal ridge. Lyons and Winer (1997) have reported the use of polyglactin mesh in extensive rectocele repairs. Most surgeons prefer rectocele repair by vaginal route.

How to prevent postoperative hemorrhage?

Postoperative hemorrhage is best prevented by pursuing compulsive intraoperative hemostasis. As previously noted, endoscopic techniques require an operative field that is essentially bloodless. The Harmonic Scalpel is an essential instrument for accomplishing endoscopic thyroidectomy.1,11,29 It denatures protein by using ultrasonic vibrations to transfer mechanical energy that is sufficient to break tertiary hydrogen bonds. The denatured protein coagulum coapts and seals the blood vessels, thereby providing robust hemostasis. 40

What is scalpel used for?

This scalpel has been used for other techniques in otolaryngology and other fields of surgery. In contrast to electrocautery or laser dissection, cutting and coagulation occur at temperatures typically three to four times lower than the temperatures that occur in the traditional electrocautery technique. The decreased thermal damage is thought ...

What is harmonic scalpel used for?

The harmonic scalpel has also been used for tonsillectomy. In this procedure, ultrasonic technology is used to cut and coagulate tissue at temperatures lower than those associated with electrocautery and lasers. This scalpel has been used for other techniques in otolaryngology and other fields of surgery. In contrast to electrocautery ...

How does a scalpel work?

The Harmonic scalpel divides tissue using high-frequency ultrasound energy, which disrupts protein hydrogen bonds within the tissue. Blood vessels are coapted and sealed by denatured protein in the vessel lumen.

Why do you move a harmonic scalpel on the side of the stomach?

Especially when the vessels are extremely short, the harmonic scalpel must be moved on the side of the spleen, not on the side of the stomach, to minimize the risk of full-thickness thermal injuries to the stomach. Gastric tears can be minimized by appropriate retraction of the stomach with blunted instruments.

What is a scalpel instrument?

Jump to navigation Jump to search. The harmonic scalpel is a surgical instrument that (unlike electrosurgery) uses ultrasonic vibrations to cut and cauterize tissue .

How does a scalpel work?

A harmonic scalpel cuts via vibration. The scalpel surface itself cuts through tissue by vibrating in the range of 55,500 Hz. The high frequency vibration of tissue molecules generates stress and friction in tissue, which generates heat and causes protein denaturation. This technique causes minimal energy transfer to surrounding tissue, potentially limiting collateral damage.

Is a harmonic scalpel better than electrosurgery?

The harmonic scalpel may be superior to electrosurgery in that it can cut through thicker tissue, creates less toxic surgical smoke, and poses somewhat less of a risk for electrocution or other potentially fatal complications.

Where is Harmonic made?

The Harmonic brand is manufactured in Mexico and distributed by Ethicon Endo-Surgery a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson .

Why is a harmonic scalpel used?

The harmonic scalpel system is now one of the arrays of systems used by surgeons in treating various medical conditions. It can provide surgeons with better cutting precision, as well as allow them to more efficiently cut through thicker tissues. Their visibility problems can also be reduced because of less smoke emitted by the system when it is in operation. The surgical procedure is simpler with fewer instrument swaps. However, a harmonic scalpel is not that easy to move compared to a Bovie.

Is harmonic scalpel better than surgical scalpel?

A lot of plastic surgeons have also learned that a harmonic scalpel system is better than surgical procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, tummy tuck, and face lift. Patients who undergo a procedure using harmonic scalpel is less likely to experience bleeding, bruising, and swelling.

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Overview

The harmonic scalpel is a surgical instrument that (unlike electrosurgery) uses ultrasonic vibrations to cut and cauterize tissue.

Medical use

The harmonic scalpel may be superior to electrosurgery in that it can cut through thicker tissue, creates less toxic surgical smoke, and poses somewhat less of a risk for electrocution or other potentially fatal complications.

Mechanism

A harmonic scalpel cuts via vibration. The scalpel surface itself cuts through tissue by vibrating in the range of 55,500 Hz. The high frequency vibration of tissue molecules generates stress and friction in tissue, which generates heat and causes protein denaturation. This technique causes minimal energy transfer to surrounding tissue, potentially limiting collateral damage.

Manufacture

The Harmonic brand is manufactured in Mexico and distributed by Ethicon Endo-Surgery a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.

See also

• Instruments used in general surgery

Further reading

• Msika S, Deroide G, Kianmanesh R, et al. (March 2001). "Harmonic scalpel in laparoscopic colorectal surgery". Dis. Colon Rectum. 44 (3): 432–6. doi:10.1007/bf02234745. PMID 11289292. S2CID 13391713.
• Awwad JT, Isaacson K (October 1996). "The harmonic scalpel: an intraoperative complication". Obstet Gynecol. 88 (4 Pt 2): 718–20. doi:10.1016/0029-7844(96)00075-0. PMID 8841266. S2CID 41706390.

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