Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Use of the Scissor-Type Knife During the Peroral Endoscopy Myotomy Procedure for the Treatment of Achalasia
Published on: March 3, 2023
A randomised trial of knife versus diathermy in pilonidal disease
M S Duxbury1, S M Blake, A Dashfield
1Surgical Directorate, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK.
Background:
Pilonidal disease is a common debilitating condition. This prospective randomised study compared excision of pilonidal disease with a scalpel or diathermy with respect to operation time, postoperative pain, functional recovery and wound healing.
Patients And Methods:
Patients undergoing surgery for pilonidal disease were randomised to excision by scalpel (group 1) or diathermy (group 2). Patients received regular peri-operative oral analgesia and a standardised general anaesthetic technique. Duration of operation was recorded. Following surgery, pain, analgesic requirements, sedation, nausea and vomiting scores and time to mobilise and time to complete healing were compared.
Results:
Statistical significance between groups was obtained for five outcomes after 32 patients had been recruited; of these, 81% were admitted as emergencies with an abscess. The duration of surgery in group 2 was significantly less, postoperative pain scores and morphine requirements were lower and mobility was regained sooner.
Conclusions:
We advocate the use of diathermy needle rather than scalpel blade when undertaking excision of pilonidal disease in both acute and chronic patients.
