Blood loss with use of the Shaw scalpel for the treatment of oral cancer.
The Shaw scalpel was used in seven radical operations for oral cancer. The amount of bleeding and postoperative exudate and the occurrence of postoperative complications were compared with that from 12 operations performed with the conventional steel scalpel. The blood loss during the radical neck dissection performed with the Shaw scalpel was 39% of the control value, and no blood transfusions were necessary. There was no increase in the amount of postoperative exudate in the Shaw scalpel group compared with the control group. Skin incision with the Shaw scalpel was accompanied by superficial wound dehiscences in three patients, which healed without any treatment.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D037981:Neck Dissection; D006472:Oral Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D013232:Steel; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology
D013232:Steel