Electrosurgery Dissection versus Sharp Dissection: Effect on Early Postoperative Wound Complications in Modified...

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Breast Surgery
• Wound Complications

Background:

• Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) remains a common breast cancer surgery, despite trends toward breast conservation.
• Electrosurgery (diathermy) is widely used in MRM for hemostasis but is associated with wound complications.
• Minimizing surgical complications is crucial to avoid delays in adjuvant treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of electrosurgery versus sharp dissection on early postoperative wound complications in MRM.
• To compare outcomes between electrosurgery dissection (ED) and sharp dissection (SD) groups.
• To identify potential improvements in patient recovery after MRM.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental study involving 46 patients undergoing MRM.
• Patients were divided into two groups: 23 for electrosurgery dissection and 23 for sharp dissection.
• Data were analyzed using SPSS, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Main Results:

• Electrosurgery dissection led to significantly longer drainage duration (7.8 vs. 6.4 days, p=0.000) and higher total drainage volume (1082 vs. 693 ml, p=0.000).
• Higher rates of seroma formation (30.4% vs. 13.0%, p=0.004), wound dehiscence (21.7% vs. 8.7%, p=0.013), and flap necrosis (17.4% vs. 4.4%, p=0.003) were observed in the electrosurgery group.
• No significant differences were found in operating time or wound infection rates between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Electrosurgery dissection is associated with increased early postoperative wound complications in MRM compared to sharp dissection.
• Sharp dissection appears to be a safer method for flap elevation and specimen excision in MRM, reducing complications.
• Adopting sharp dissection may improve patient outcomes and facilitate timely adjuvant therapy following MRM.