Abstract:Objective: To evaluate the application value of sutureless technique using harmonic scalpel in open thyroid surgery. Methods: The clinical data of 148 patients undergoing thyroid surgery form October 2012 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the patients, sutureless technique using harmonic scalpel was applied during surgery in 78 cases (harmonic scalpel group), and high frequency electric knife combined with conventional hemostatic techniques such as suture ligation was performed in another 70 cases (conventional group). The operative time, intraoperative blood loss and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. Results: There was no statistical difference in surgical procedure and disease constitution between the two groups (P>0.05). The operative time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly reduced in harmonic scalpel group compared with conventional group in the same surgical type (both P<0.05). No postoperative bleeding, laryngeal recurrent nerve paralysis, or permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in any of the patients of both groups, transient hypoparathyroidism occurred in one case in harmonic scalpel group and 2 cases in conventional group respectively, and the overall incidence of postoperative complications in the two groups had no statistical difference (P>0.05). Conclusion: Application of sutureless technique with harmonic scalpel in open thyroid surgery can shorten the operative time and reduce intraoperative blood loss, and does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications, so it has a certain value in clinical application.