ABSTRACT
The use of electrocautery for making skin incisions remains controversial. Its effect on the rate of Superficial Surgical Site Infection (SSSI) vis-à-vis scalpel use was compared in this study. Atotal of 100 patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair were divided into two: 50 in Electrocautery group, 50 in Scalpel group. Patients were assessed for up to 30 days post-operatively by an assessor blinded to the method used for making skin incision. CDC/NHSN criterion for SSSI was adopted for wound assessment while grading was done using Southampton Wound Grading System. Both groups had comparable mean age (p-value=0.29) and BMI (p-value=0.39). The difference in the incidence of SSSI (5 in Electrocautery, 7 in Scalpel group) on statistical analysis was found to not be significant (p-value=0.53). We conclude that skin incision made with electrocautery is a safe alternative and a convenient method for performing surgeries.