Breaking strength of CO2-laser and scalpel blade incisions in the dog

Incisions were made in the skin, linea alba and intestine of dogs (n = 5) with a CO2-laser and a stainless steel scalpel blade. The procedures were carried out on Day 0, 8, 10 and 11 in order to produce 1, 2, 4 and 12-day old samples. On Day 12 the dogs were euthanized, the incisions harvested and the breaking strength of each sample recorded. No significant difference in the strength developed in the skin and intestinal wounds could be observed, whereas the incisions made with the scalpel blade in the linea alba were significantly stronger.