A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF COSMETIC AND PATIENT SATISFACTION OUTCOMES OF DIFFERENT INCISION METHODS

Abstract

Introduction: Cold steel scalpel has been the supreme choice for skin incisions among surgeons across the globe for long time. Attempts have been made in a search to find ways for achieving hemostasis during surgery. Electrocautery has been the choice for such purpose. Still there are number of surgeons avoiding cautery as it results in devitalization of tissues and delayed wound healing. The present study aims at comparing various per-operative and post-operative parameters of cold steel scalpel and cautery incisions during a surgical procedure. Material & methods: A clinical comparative observational study was carried out at Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College and hospital. A total number of 272 cases were enrolled and randomized into two groups: A and B, receiving scalpel and electrocautery incision respectively. Cases of two groups were assessed for various per-operative and post-operative outcomes of scalpel and diathermy incision. Cosmetic appearance of scar was primary outcome and incision time, incisional blood loss, operation time, post-operative pain, wound complications, patient’s satisfaction level and duration of hospital stay were the secondary outcome measures. Analyses of data were done using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Significant less amount of blood loss was noted in electrocautery group as compared to scalpel group (P<0.05). No statistical considerable difference was noted regarding incision time, operation time, post-operative pain, length of incision, wound complications, scar appearance, patient’s satisfaction level, and duration of hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Electrocautery proved a good tool to achieve hemostasis, however, associated with wound complications and delayed wound healing.