The Use of Harmonic Scalpel for Free Flap Dissection in Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery

Table 1

Statistical results of the parameters analyzed to compare the HS and EC groups.

		HS group^1	EC group^2
		Mean ± SD	Mean ± SD	P value
Flap dissection time (min)	Both freeflaps (𝑛=20)	55±9.7	74.9±13	<0.001
	Radial forearm flap (𝑛=12)	48.8±4.6	66.7±4.1	<0.001
	Fibular flap (𝑛=8)	64.3±7.8	87.3±11.9	0.018
Postoperative cumulative volume of drains (mL)	Both freeflaps	52.9±30.6	90.4±54.8	NS (0.063)
	Radial forearm flap	30±17.3	57.3±25.9	NS (0.056)
	Fibular flap	83.3±12.5	156.7±33	0.037
Cost of surgical materials*	Both freeflaps	510.8±41.4	1021±140.4	<0.001
	Radial forearm flap	497	1080±123.9	<0.001
	Fibular flap	531.5±59.8	931.5±114.4	0.002

¹HS group: flap dissection group using the Harmonic Scalpel; ²EC group: flap dissection group using electrocautery and surgical clips.
*Addition of the cost of the surgical clip appliers plus the Harmonic synergy Curved Blade in Euros (in reference to the price in France), according to the following method: (nb of clip appliers × 138 euros (=unitary price)) + 368 euros (Harmonic synergy curved blade price).
Postop: postoperative; vol.: volume; NS: nonsignificant (𝑃>0.05).