I recently had the opportunity to test out the LigaSure Advance, the latest update to Valleylab’s popular line of Ligasure vessel sealers.

This instrument has several great new features. First, the handle design departs from the typical pistol grip and incorporates controls that actually feel like they’re properly placed (which is not as routine as you’d think). The device also has a very ergonomic tip similar to the shape of the Harmonic LCS-5 or the ACE, which I consider a major advance for a LigaSure product. The shape is really nice for blunt dissection.

The device has a sharp little monopolar “tooth” attached to the end of one of the jaws. Although I was hesitant about this at first, as I really don’t like monopolar energy, I did a complex case with a lot of vascular dissection and it didn’t hurt a thing. In fact, I managed to use the incorporated monopolar “tooth” to my advantage several times. Unfortunately, it is sometimes hard to see the tooth clearly enough for precise applications of monopolar energy.

Another nice feature of the Advance is that both jaws move, which may explain its superior grasping capabilities. And, of course, the LigaSure sealing mechanism is very useful.

I need to have some more experience with the device before I can pass any real judgment (I just did one case), but from my initial impressions it seem like it may really be an “advance” in laparoscopic energy devices, and it may actually live up to its name. What a nice surprise.