Several WakeMed surgeons are using a new and unique system designed to reduce blood loss during surgical procedures. The Aquamantys(TM) system is designed to seal blood vessels in soft tissue and bone during a wide variety of surgical procedures in order to reduce blood loss and the risks associated with transfusion.
Keith Mankin, MD, of Raleigh Orthopaedics, began using the system nearly six months ago and has seen outstanding results primarily with scoliosis correctional procedures. 'The data supporting our use of the Aquamantys is very compelling,' explained Mankin. 'Our patients are seeing a significant reduction in blood loss, which results in decreased transfusions and less time in surgery.' Specifically, Dr. Mankin has seen nearly a 50 percent reduction in blood loss. For spinal fusions, the blood loss per segment fused has dropped from approximately 100ml to 50 ml. There are no risks associated with using the Aquamantys system, and less time in surgery and less post-operative transfusions also reduces the costs associated with surgery.
The Aquamantys system works by combining a bipolar electrosurgical generator with a rotary peristaltic pump to simultaneously deliver both radio frequency energy and saline. The saline cools the tissue as it is treated and evenly conducts the energy into the tissue to seal blood vessels.
'Our Aquamantys surgical patients are often more vigorous after surgery and benefit from an easier rehabilitation process,' says Mankin. 'It's really a winwin system for us.'
