BACKGROUND: Although studies in animals demonstrated a better wound healing after abdominal incision with cold scalpel than with electrocautery, clinical experiences did not confirm these findings. The purpose of this study was to compare early and late wound complications between diathermy and scalpel in gynecologic oncologic patients undergoing midline abdominal incision. METHODS: Patients undergoing midline abdominal incision for uterine malignancies were divided into two groups according to the method used to perform the abdominal midline incision: cold scalpel and diathermy in coagulation mode. Early and late complications were compared. Logistic regressions were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Nine hundred sixty-four patients were included, of whom 531 were in the scalpel group and 433 in the electrocautery group. Both groups were similar with respect to demographic, operative, and postoperative characteristics. Univariate analysis revealed a higher incidence of severe wound complications in the scalpel group than in the electrocautery group (8 of 531 versus 1 of 433, P <0.05). After adjustment for confounding variables (eg, age, body mass index) no differences were found between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Scalpel and diathermy are similar in terms of early and late wound complications when used to perform midline abdominal incisions. Therefore the choice of which method to use remains only a matter of surgeon preference.
BACKGROUND: Although studies in animals demonstrated a better wound healing after abdominal incision with cold scalpel than with electrocautery, clinical experiences did not confirm these findings. The purpose of this study was to compare early and late wound complications between diathermy and scalpel in gynecologic oncologic patients undergoing midline abdominal incision. METHODS:Patients undergoing midline abdominal incision for uterine malignancies were divided into two groups according to the method used to perform the abdominal midline incision: cold scalpel and diathermy in coagulation mode. Early and late complications were compared. Logistic regressions were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Nine hundred sixty-four patients were included, of whom 531 were in the scalpel group and 433 in the electrocautery group. Both groups were similar with respect to demographic, operative, and postoperative characteristics. Univariate analysis revealed a higher incidence of severe wound complications in the scalpel group than in the electrocautery group (8 of 531 versus 1 of 433, P <0.05). After adjustment for confounding variables (eg, age, body mass index) no differences were found between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Scalpel and diathermy are similar in terms of early and late wound complications when used to perform midline abdominal incisions. Therefore the choice of which method to use remains only a matter of surgeon preference.
Authors: Martin A Makary; Peter J Pronovost; Eric S Weiss; E Anne Millman; David Chang; Susan P Baker; Edward E Cornwell; Dora Syin; Julie A Freischlag Journal: World J Surg Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Kuk Hyun Jung; Seung Jong Oh; Kang Kook Choi; Su Mi Kim; Min Gew Choi; Jun Ho Lee; Jae Hyung Noh; Tae Sung Sohn; Jae Moon Bae; Sung Kim Journal: Ann Surg Treat Res Date: 2014-11-28 Impact factor: 1.859