Kota Ramesh1 , Alamuri Bhargavi2
BACKGROUND The aim of the present study is to compare surgical outcomes of cutting diathermy verses surgical scalpel for skin incisions from all elective laparotomies. METHODS This is a prospective observational study conducted among 30 patients undergoing elective laparotomy procedures admitted in the Department of General Surgery. Study was conducted over a period of 2 years. Patients undergoing elective laparotomy procedures who fulfilled the above inclusion criteria, after taking informed and written consent were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups depending on whether the diathermy or scalpel was used in making the abdominal wall incision. RESULTS Incision time is less in diathermy group when compared to scalpel group. Incision related blood loss is less in diathermy group when compared to scalpel group. There is significant difference in the post-operative pain at 6, 12, and 24 hours between scalpel group and the diathermy group. There is significant difference in the incidence of wound infection at day 4 between scalpel group and diathermy group. The incidence of seroma is higher in scalpel group 40% as compared to diathermy group’s 33.3%; but this result is not significant statistically. The POSAS total patient and total observer scale at 1st and 3rd month is higher in diathermy group. No difference in total patient score was found at 6th month follow up. CONCLUSIONS Cutting diathermy can be safely used to make abdominal wall incisions considering its efficacy in terms of shorter incision time, haemostasis, lesser post-operative pain, and relatively comparable scar cosmesis
