The use of the hemostatic scalpel in operations upon the breast

Advantages of the hemostatic scalpel include: 1, decrease in blood loss from small vessels; 2, minimizes damage to the tissue as compared with other thermocoagulating instruments and, thus, improved healing of the wound; 3, eliminates muscle stimulation and, by maintaining a dry surgical field, shortens the operative procedure, and 4, may seal lymphatic vessels and, therefore, lower the incidence of local and regional metastases.