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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2002;22:646-648
© 2002 Elsevier Science NL

Case report

New operative method for a giant bulla: sutureless and stapleless thoracoscopic surgery using the Ligasure system

Division of the General Thoracic Surgery, Takarazuka Municipal Hospital, 4-5-1 Kohama, Takarazuka-shi, Hyogo 665-0827, Japan

Received 26 March 2002; received in revised form 1 July 2002; accepted 3 July 2002.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +81-797-87-1161; fax: +81-797-87-5624
e-mail: n-shige{at}blue.ocn.ne.jp

Thoracoscopic bullectomy performed with staplers is the main treatment for giant bullae in many institutions. However, there are certain problems associated with the increasing use of stapling devices. In response, we have applied a new operative method in which we excised a bulla with an ultrasonic-driven scalpel and successfully sealed the cut ends using the LigaSure Vessel Sealing System, a new bipolar system developed by Valleylab Inc. Herein we describe our experience with this newly designed technique which could render possible ‘sutureless and stapleless’ thoracoscopic surgery in the future.

Key Words: Giant bulla • Thoracoscopic surgery • LigaSure • Sutureless and stapleless surgery

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