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OBJECTIVE	Monopolar electrosurgery is the gold standard for surgical preparation in thoracoscopic spine procedures .
OBJECTIVE	However , use of ultrasound scissors could decrease blood loss , accelerate the preparation time and improve patient safety , while minimizing operative costs .
OBJECTIVE	This trial compares both preparation techniques for ventral thoracoscopic spondylodesis .
METHODS	The study design is an open , prospective , randomized , and double-blinded two-armed clinical trial performed in two centres .
METHODS	Forty-one patients with vertebral body fractures from T10 to L2 were included .
METHODS	Primary endpoint : preparation time .
METHODS	Secondary endpoints : blood loss , organ injuries , duration of hospitalization .
RESULTS	Primary and secondary endpoints did not differ significantly between groups ( p level 0.05 ) .
RESULTS	Increased blood loss ( 150 ml or more ) was eliminated with ultrasound scissors ( p = 0.0014 ) .
CONCLUSIONS	Primary and secondary endpoints did not differ significantly between the two preparation techniques .
CONCLUSIONS	The use of either ultrasound scissors or electric scalpel offers safe and effective preparation for thoracoscopic spine surgery .

