Utilization of harmonic scalpel for the bloodless surgical management of a vascular lesion of the tongue and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

A constant search for methods to limit blood loss, especially the vascular lesions of the tongue, has led to the acceptance of ultrasonic harmonic scalpels.The harmonic scalpel's reliability exists in its ability for lasting hemostasis with minimal heat dispersion to the surrounding structures.Surgical removal of the vascular pathology in a restricted area of the oral cavity and oropharynx dictates a bloodless surgical field, further allowing increased visibility of the lesion and the surrounding anatomical structures, subsequently narrowing the surgical time frame.We report a rare case of haemangioma of the lateral border of the tongue managed with complete resection of the tumor achieved using the harmonic scalpel with reduced intraoperative blood loss, increased visibility, evidently reduced post-operative necrosis and highly preserved tissue for the histopathological examination.