Comparison of Diathermy versus Scalpel Skin Incision in Oncological Surgeries

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Surgical incisions are usually made with scalpel. Usage of scalpel usually results in skin bleeding which obscuresthe operating field resulting in wastage of operating time. Although diathermy is increasingly used for underlying tissue dissection,cutting, and hemostasis, its use for making skin incisions is not gaining favor.Aim: The aim of our study was to compare the value outcome of diathermy incisions versus scalpel incisions in abdominalsurgeries.Materials and Methods: This prospective comparative study was conducted to compare the outcome of diathermy incisionsversus scalpel incisions in oncological surgeries. Total of 80 patients who divided into Group A (scalpel incision) for 39 patientsand Group B (diathermy incision) for 41 patients. Treatment protocol and follow-up protocol were followed and the results werestatistically analyzed and discussed.Results: Out of 80 patients, 39 patients had scalpel incision and 41 patients had diathermy incision. In the scalpel group outof 39 patients, 21 patients were male and 18 patients were female, the mean duration of incision time in the scalpel group is116 sec, the mean value of incisional blood loss in the scalpel group is 1.9/ml, the mean operating time in the scalpel group is36.42 min, and the mean value of post-operative pain in day 1 is 6.42, day 2 is 5.18, and day 3 is 3.66. In the diathermy groupout of 41 patients, 26 patients were male and 15 patients were female, the mean duration of incision time in the diathermy groupis 88.52 sec, the mean value of incisional blood loss in the diathermy group is 1.4/ml, the mean operating time in the diathermygroup is 38.75 min, and the mean value of post-operative pain in day 1 is 5.12, day 2 is 3.88, and day is 2.01.Conclusion: The findings of the present study show that diathermy seems to provide some benefit with respect to post-operativewound pain, less incision time, and less incisional blood loss and has obvious safety advantages to the surgical team comparedwith scalpel.