DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i04.047

Pages: 1381-1382

The objective was to study the use of monopolar electrocautery for securing hemostasis of cystic artery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This was a retrospective observational study that was carried out in our institute. Total of 276 patients (246 females and 30 males) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy from April 2005 to March 2013 where monopolar electrocoagulation was used were included in the study. The study included total of 276 patients with a mean age of 44.2 yrs and a male to female ratio of 8.2:1. 6 patients (2.1%) were converted to open procedure due to (a) adhesions at the Calot's triangle (1.1%), (b) bleeding from cystic artery (0.7%) and (c) bleeding from liver bed (0.3%). In the remaining patients, wound infection was present in 12.3% of the patients. None of the patients had postoperative bleeding as evidenced by the drain output and other measures including postop. monitoring of vitals and palpation of adomen. In conclusion, monopolar cautery is an effective method to control the cystic artery during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and its use can be encouraged in developing countries which lack the resources for Harmonic Scalpel.