Technology Minimizes Risk Of Postoperative Facial Paresis

Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 05 Mar 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Starion Instruments, a leading surgical device company, announced that a study published in the January 2008 issue of The American Surgeon found Starion's patented Tissue Welding technology minimized intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications and may reduce the development of facial paresis in parotidectomy procedures.

The study, Tissue Welding Forceps Usage in Superficial Parotidectomy: A Clinical Assessment, was conducted by Randall Michel, M.D., FACS, Kang Tsau, M.D., and Bernard Weinstock, M.D. from the Departments of Surgery and Anesthesiology, Lompoc Valley Medical Center, Lompoc, CA. Michel and his colleagues performed a retrospective review of 25 patients who underwent superficial parotidectomy using Starion's ENTceps to assess safety and effectiveness of the technology. Of particular interest was the incidence of facial nerve palsy since this is one of the most severe complications associated with parotid procedures.

The review included 10 men and 15 women, aged 25 to 88 years, diagnosed with benign or malignant disease. The researchers reviewed records for operative times, estimated blood loss and postoperative complications of bleeding, facial nerve paresis, salivary fistula, and gustatory sweating, and compared these results with previous reports using other parotid dissection techniques.

With Starion's ENTceps, Michel and his team found the average operative time was 155.6 minutes, average blood loss was 71.6 cc, there were no instances of delayed bleeding, clinical Frey's syndrome, clinical gustatory sweating or wound infections, and only one patient had transient forehead weakness. These results compared favorably to alternate methods for superficial parotidectomy.

"Our experience to date using ENTceps has been quite positive," said Michel. "The main advantages are that this instrument can be used close to the facial nerve and that no current passes through the patient, enabling continuous monitoring of the facial nerve. The ability to continuously monitor nerves during the procedure helps minimize the risk for inadvertent injury and subsequent facial nerve palsy."

About Starion Instruments

Starion develops advanced surgical devices that enhance performance, minimize risk and improve patient outcomes. Starion's instruments employ a patented Tissue Welding technology that seals and divides soft tissue with only focused heat and pressure. Known for their effectiveness, reliability and versatility, Starion's products are used worldwide for open and endoscopic cardiac, gynecology, general surgery, otolaryngology and urology procedures.

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