LAUSR

Skin burns are observed rarely after laparoscopic application of harmonic scalpel. We present 2 cases of port-site burn occurring after the application of harmonic scalpel during laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic staging surgery was performed in two women with endometrial carcinoma. Harmonic scalpel was introduced through the left paraumbilical port for dissection. The surgical procedure was uneventful. At day 1 or 2 postoperatively, skin burn was found around the left paraumbilical puncture. The burn healed after conservative treatment or full thickness debridement. Our experiences suggest that overheating of harmonic scalpel can occur and predispose abdominal wall to thermal injury. Surgeons should be aware of and avoid this rare but regrettable complication.