title: Systematic review and meta-analysis of electrocautery versus scalpel for surgical skin incisions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The creation of surgical skin incisions has historically been performed using a cold scalpel. The use of electrocautery for this purpose has been controversial with respect to patient safety and surgical efficacy. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to compare skin incisions made by electrocautery and a scalpel.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic electronic literature search was performed using 2 electronic databases (MEDLINE and PubMed), and the methodological quality of included publications was evaluated. Six RCTs were identified comparing electrocautery (n = 606) and a scalpel (n = 628) for skin incisions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant difference in wound infection rates or scar cosmesis was identified between the treatment groups. Electrocautery significantly reduced the incision time and postoperative wound pain. A trend toward less incisional blood loss from skin incisions made with electrocautery was noted. Electrocautery is a safe and effective method for performing surgical skin incisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Lisa N F
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Aird
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004954:Esthetics; D006801:Humans; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors