Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Using Monopolar Energy in Swine: A Histopathological Assessment of Electrosurgical Power

Study Objective The purpose of this study is to assess the extent of vaginal tissue injury associated with the utilization of various monopolar electrosurgical power settings when performing the colpotomy. Design This is an IACUC-approved prospective, paired, single blinded study. Swine vagina was transected using monopolar energy at 30, 50 and 80W in the cut mode with laparoscopic endoshears. Slides were prepared and stained with both H&E and Masson\u27s trichrome and examined by a board certified veterinary pathologist. Setting This study was performed at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, MD. Measurements and Main Results There were 18 swine, each animal was tested on all three power settings (n=54). At 30W tissue injury was measured to a mean of 767 (±519) μm, at 50W = 690 (±600) μm and at 80W = 556 (±470) μm (p=0.43)