SKIN INCISIONS WITH DIATHERMY AND SCALPEL IN ABDOMINAL SURGERY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY.

Skin incisions are made traditionally with scalpel. The cutting diathermy for making surgical incision has met with scepticism because of possible excessive scarring, impaired wound healing, higher risk of SSI. This study was undertaken to compare the outcomes of diathermy and scalpel skin incisions in patients undergoing varied abdominal surgery in terms of incision time, blood loss, postoperative pain, wound healing, postoperative wound complications and patient's compliance. Patients and methods: One hundred patients of either sexes were considered in this prospective, comparative study in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. The study population was divided into two groups of 50 patients each to compare the outcomes of diathermy and scalpel skin incisions in patients undergoing varied abdominal surgery in terms of incision time, blood loss, postoperative pain, wound healing, postoperative wound complications and patient's compliance. Results and observations: The Mean duration of Incision in the Diathermy group was 13.34±5 62 secs and that of Scalpel group was 20.71±6.87 secs with 95% condence interval of 4.74 – 9.74. Incision time was less in electrocautery group (P <0.001). The mean value of incision related blood loss in electrocautery group was 3.66± 2.15 and scalpel group was 11.58±4.83ml( P <0.001). Post operative pain, complications, scar compliance are comparable in both groups. Conclusions: The diathermy is the ideal method of incision in high-risk patients, where both the blood loss and operating time are at a premium. Diathermy incisions heal like that of scalpel incisions and is comparable to each other.