ANZ journal of surgery
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ANZ journal of surgery · Apr 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialCautery versus scalpel for abdominal skin incisions: a double blind, randomized crossover trial of scar cosmesis.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is any difference in cosmetic outcome between using cutting diathermy and using a scalpel to make abdominal skin incisions. ⋯ We found the use of cutting diathermy to make abdominal skin incisions to be cosmetically equivalent to cutting with the scalpel. As previous studies have not shown adverse wound outcomes using this technique, and considering the safety concerns for theatre staff when the scalpel is used, the routine use of cutting diathermy for skin incisions in abdominal surgery is justified.