Intraperitoneal thermal variations during laparoscopic surgery

Background: The aim of this study was to measure thermal variations during laparoscopy in the vicinity of heat sources such as monopolar (MC) and bipolar coagulation (BC) and to evaluate their possible negative consequences for the patient. Methods: This study included 43 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, The temperature measurements were taken with a sterile thermal probe (Mallinkrot Medical) introduced through a 5-mm trocar coupled with a recording monitor reading variations between 20 and 80 degrees C. The variation in temperature was measured as a function of the power applied to the electrodes (20 or 30 W) and in relation to the distance (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm) from the electrodes. Results: The temperature varied by 3 degrees for BC and 29 degrees for MC when the distance increased from 1 to 5 cm. With respect to the power delivered, 20 or 30 W, the variations were 1 degrees for BC and 17 degrees for MC. Conclusions: The minimal temperature variations associated with the use of BC makes it the option of choice for operating near structures such as the common bile duct or the gastrointestinal tract.