Why Not Use Monopolar Diathermy for Skin Incision

Abstract

Aim: To study the efficacy and safety of monopolar surgical diathermy in making skin incision for various surgical procedures. Setting: Avicenna medical college and hospital, Lahore Design: Retrospective, observational study of one hundred consecutive patients. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients in which diathermy was used to make skin incision were studied. Laparoscopic surgery patients and patients who underwent wound debridement were not included in the study. Study period was September and October of 2018. Skin incision was made using diathermy in cutting mode at very low power setting. Patients were studied for skin burn, postoperative pain, wound healing and scar appearance. Results: Diathermy incision was used in various surgical procedures which included; Abdominal hernias, Appendecectomies, Thyroidectomies, Breast surgery, Skin and subcutaneous lumps, Perineal surgery and abscesses. No incidence of skin burn was noted. Post operative analgesia requirement was reduced. No patient had delayed wound healing but four patients of abdominal wall hernias developed hypertrophic scar. Conclusion: We observed that diathermy is a safe and effective tool for skin incision and it can replace knife as a primary tool for making skin incisions.