Prosthetic Valve Removal Technique Using Ultrasonic Scalpel

Hiroyuki Tsukui; Shizuko Iwasa; Kenji Yamazaki

doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.04.105

Prosthetic Valve Removal Technique Using Ultrasonic Scalpel

Ann Thorac Surg. 2019 Oct;108(4):e273-e274. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.04.105. Epub 2019 Jun 21.

Authors

Hiroyuki Tsukui¹, Shizuko Iwasa², Kenji Yamazaki²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hokkaido Cardiovascular Hospital, Sapporo, Japan. Electronic address: htsukui@wf7.so-net.ne.jp.
² Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hokkaido Cardiovascular Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.

PMID: 31233719
DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.04.105

Abstract

Prosthetic valve removal for reoperative valve replacement is time consuming and has a risk of damage to the heart because of severe adhesions. Prosthetic valves can be removed quickly, easily, and safely by using an ultrasonic scalpel (Harmonic Scalpel, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH). The space between the prosthesis and the native annulus was carefully dissected using Harmonic Synergy blades connected to an Ethicon Gen11 Generator at energy level 5. The average time for prosthetic valve removal using an ultrasonic scalpel was 6 minutes 11 seconds. No patient required new permanent pacemaker implantation.

Publication types

Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

Device Removal / instrumentation
Device Removal / methods*
Heart Valve Prosthesis*
Humans
Reoperation
Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures / instrumentation*