title: Healing of canine skin incisions made with monopolar electrosurgery versus scalpel blade.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the influence of monopolar electrosurgery in cutting mode set at 10, 20, or 30 W on surgery time, hemostasis, and healing of cutaneous wounds compared to scalpel incisions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized blinded control trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n = 15).
  
  
  METHODS
  Four skin incisions were created on either side of the dorsal midline with a scalpel, or monopolar electrosurgery at 10, 20, and 30 W. Surgical time and incisional bleeding were measured. Each incision was assessed daily for edema, erythema and discharge, and complications. Healing was evaluated via histology at 7 days. Results were analyzed for significance at P ≤ .05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surgical time and hemostasis were improved in all electrosurgery groups. Erythema was reduced in all electrosurgical incisions for days 1-4, but was greater in wounds created via electrosurgery at 20 W than those made with a scalpel blade by day 7. No difference was noted in the degree of edema or presence of wound discharge. All histologic variables of tissue healing were lower in electrosurgical incisions than scalpel incisions (P < .001). Ten incisional complications occurred, all associated with electrosurgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of monopolar electrosurgery at 10, 20, and 30 W in a cutting waveform improved hemostasis and surgical time when incising canine skin, but delayed healing and increased complications within the first 7 days compared to scalpel incisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi.
authors.forename: Jacqueline E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology & Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cooley
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology & Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi.
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Wills
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi.
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Pearce
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000662:veterinary*; D000072836:Surgical Wound / Q000662:veterinary*; D014945:Wound Healing