Lateral thermal spread and recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after minimally invasive esophagectomy in bipolar vessel sealing and ultrasonic energy devices: a comparative study.BACKGROUND
 This study aimed to compare the extent of lateral thermal spread of surrounding tissues after the use of advanced bipolar and ultrasonic coagulation and shearing devices.  In ex vivo experiments using the porcine muscle, blade temperature and tissue temperature were measured using a thermometer after the activation of both devices.  Furthermore, the incidence of RLNP in the LS group was lower than that in the SONIC group (P = 0.044).


 This study highlights the necessity of spatial and temporal recognition of the thermal spread of coagulation and shearing devices to reduce the thermal injuries following MIE.
THERM