Use of Electrosurgery for Skin Incision and Dissection: Randomized Comparative Study in 85 Patients

Area of Science:

• Dermatologic Surgery
• Surgical Technology
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Electrosurgery is utilized in various surgical fields for skin incisions.
• Previous studies outside dermatology have not identified differences in cosmetic outcomes with electrosurgery.
• Evaluating novel electrosurgical devices is crucial for advancing dermatologic surgical techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare healing outcomes between the Colorado microdissection needle and a conventional cold scalpel for skin incisions and subcutaneous dissections.
• To assess the cosmetic results of surgical excisions performed with two different cutting instruments.
• To determine if the Colorado microdissection needle is non-inferior to the cold scalpel in dermatologic surgery.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal, randomized, comparative study involving 85 patients undergoing simple excisions on the trunk or extremities.
• Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either a Colorado microdissection needle or a cold scalpel.
• Scar assessment at three months post-surgery utilized the Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS) and Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS).

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were observed in mean Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS) or Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS) scores between the two groups.
• Independent observers found no significant differences in local scar characteristics.
• The overall complication rate was 4.7%, with no significant variations between the Colorado microdissection needle and cold scalpel groups.

Conclusions:

• The Colorado microdissection needle is not inferior to the cold scalpel for skin incisions and tissue dissection in dermatologic surgery.
• Both methods yielded comparable healing and cosmetic scar outcomes.
• Limitations include the single-center design and exclusion of certain anatomical areas with higher cosmetic relevance.