Harmonic Scalpel in Superficial Parotidectomies; Our Experience at a Tertiary Care Centre

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To compare operative time, intra operative and postoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay and post-operative pain between harmonic scalpel and conventional groups. MATERIALS AND METHOD This study was conducted at Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of Government Medical College, Srinagar from 2013 to 2015. Patients undergoing superficial parotidectomies (n=30) were included in this study. RESULTS Harmonic scalpel proved better in all aspects for superficial parotidectomies as compared to conventional method. Average intraoperative blood loss in superficial parotidectomy patients was significantly less for harmonic group (37.9ml) than conventional group (49.1ml), p valueless than05. Furthermore, average hospital stay for superficial parotidectomy patients was significantly shorter in Harmonic group (1.22 days) than in Conventional group (1.77days), with a p value less than.05. Average postoperative pain in patients undergoing superficial parotidectomies less in Harmonic group than conventional group but statistically significant only at 24 HRS. CONCLUSION Use of Harmonic Scalpel is recommended in superficial parotidectomies.