Comparison between Cutting Diathermy and Surgical Scalpel for Skin Incision during Cesarean Section

Abstract

Introduction and aim: Caesarean section (C-section) is one of the commonest surgeries accomplished all over the world, and it has several surgical methods. This work aimed to study the safety and efficacy of cutting diathermy for skin incision during C-section in comparison to surgical scalpel.

Methodology: This was a prospective randomized comparative study that was performed in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, Al-Azhar university hospitals (New Damietta) in the interval between September 2019 to October 2020.

Results: The visual analogue scale (VAS) score in the diathermy-group was statistically significantly lower as in comparison to the scalpel-group at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h post-operative. Also, there was an increase in the VAS score in the two groups at 2, 6, and 12 hours’ post-operative as in comparison to the first hour post-operative. This difference didn’t achieve a statistically significant difference except at 12 hours (0.005 and 0.001) in the diathermy-group and scalpel-group respectively.

Conclusion: The utilization of diathermy for skin incision in C-section in this work was accompanying with decreased incisional bleeding, incisional period, surgical period and post-operative pains. It had no impact on wound closures (epithelialization) and wasn’t accompanied with any postponement in wounds healing. It was pronounced safely in this work if performed in the suitable way and method with slight or no side-effects.