Stapling in thyroid surgery. A prospective study.

In a prospective study, resection of the thyroid gland by means of a linear stapling device was compared with the conventional resection technique in 12 consecutive patients with thyreotoxicosis. The median time for resection of the stapled lobe was shorter than for the conventionally resected right lobe, although the difference was not statistically significant. The median preoperative bleeding during resection of the stapled left lobe was 42 ml (range 15-126 ml), compared with 78 ml (range 34-247 ml) during the conventional resection of the right lobe (P less than 0.05). Median postoperative bleeding was somewhat less from the stapled side compared with the conventionally resected side, but did not reach statistical significance. The study thus demonstrates the feasibility of carrying out resection of the thyroid gland with a linear stapling device. The technique minimizes peroperative bleeding. It could therefore be used in thyroid surgery.