Pilot study of pulmonary arterial branch sealing using energy devices in an ex vivo model

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014 Dec;148(6):3219-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2014.05.089. Epub 2014 Jul 19.

Abstract

Objective: Vascular endostaplers are bulky and can be dangerous when dividing small pulmonary arterial (PA) branch vessels during video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. We aimed to evaluate and compare the immediate efficacy of modern energy sealing devices in an ex vivo PA sealing model.

Methods: Patients undergoing anatomical lung resection or lung transplantation were recruited for a prospective cohort pilot study. Four devices were evaluated: Harmonic Ace (Ethicon, Cincinnati, Ohio), Thunderbeat (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan), LigaSure (Covidien, Boulder, Colo), and Enseal (Ethicon; Cincinnati, Ohio). After anatomical lung resection, the PA branches were dissected in vitro. Sealing was then performed with 1 of the sealing devices, the vessel was slowly pressurized, and the bursting pressure was recorded.

Results: Forty-nine PA branches were sealed in 14 patients. The mean PA branch diameter was 7.4 mm (1.8-14.5 mm). Ten patients had normal PA pressure and 3 had PA hypertension. The mean bursting pressure in each was as follows: Harmonic Ace group, 415.5 mm Hg (137.1-1388.4 mm Hg), Thunderbeat group, 875 mm Hg (237.1-2871.3 mm Hg); LigaSure group, 214.7 mm Hg (0-579.6 mm Hg); Enseal group, 133.7 mm Hg (0-315.38 mm Hg). There were 2 complete sealing failures: LigaSure (diameter 6.78 mm) and Enseal (diameter 8.3 mm).

Conclusions: In this pilot study to examine energy sealing of PA branches in a simulated ex vivo model, vascular sealing using energy was effective and was able to sustain high intraluminal bursting pressures. Further research is needed to determine the in vivo and long-term safety of PA branch energy sealing.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01871597.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arterial Pressure
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure
  • Female
  • Hemostatic Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Humans
  • Ligation
  • Lung Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Pneumonectomy / methods*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pulmonary Artery / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Artery / surgery*
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted*
  • Thoracotomy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01871597