Abstract
Introduction: Surgical power devices are an important potential source of thermal injury during surgical procedures. Biliary tract injuries can evolve with complications, including biliary fistulas and strictures.
Objective: To evaluate histological changes in thickness and length of thermal lesions experimentally caused by a monopolar electric instrument in the bile ducts of pigs, according to the time of application.
Method: 11 pigs were subjected to thermal lesions of the common bile duct by a monopolar electric scalpel, with a power of 40 watts and applications of one, two and three seconds. 11 anatomical specimens were collected, with three histological sections corresponding to the different exposure times. The slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed for longitudinal extension, thickness and histological changes.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the thickness of the lesions between the groups, with greater thickness after three seconds of exposure compared to one second. The length of the lesions also varied significantly between the groups, with a significant difference between two and three seconds. Histological analysis showed tissue necrosis and cell deterioration in the areas submitted to the burn.
Conclusion: The longer duration of monopolar electric scalpel application was associated with a greater extent of thermal lesions in the porcine bile ducts, evidenced by changes in thickness, length, and cell damage.