The THUNDERBEAT system for tissue dissection and vascular control in laparoscopic splenectomy

Abstract

The advent of new energy sources for hemostasis has greatly facilitated advanced laparoscopic procedures. We describe a straightforward technique of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) accomplished using the THUNDERBEAT™ system (TS) (Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Tokyo, Japan) as the sole means of tissue dissection and hemostasis in two patients aged 19 and 6 years, respectively. The specimens were removed intact via a Pfannenstiel incision. Total operative time was 165 and 150 min, and length of hospital stay was three and 4 d, respectively. The TS is an appealing and reliable alternative to currently available energy devices, allowing fast dissection and secure hemostasis during laparoscopic splenectomy.

Keywords:

• Laparoscopic splenectomy
• three-trocar technique
• THUNDERBEAT^TM system
• vessel sealing device
• children

Acknowledgments

This work was supported, in part, by the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NEPF), Vaduz, Liechtenstein [grant No. 2015–048]. The NEPF did not have any role in study design, data collection and analysis, data interpretation, writing of the manuscript, or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Disclosure statement

Outside of the financial support provided by the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation, the authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported, in part, by the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NEPF), Vaduz, Liechtenstein [Grant No. 2015–048].