[Is wound healing modified by the use of diathermy incision (author's transl)]

Many surgeons are hesitant to use the electrocautery on the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the present study is to compare, with mechanical and histological criteria, wound healing following abdominal and gastric incisions made by scalpel and diathermy, in the rat. This study revealed no difference in bursting pressure between scalpel and diathermy incisions. Histologically there is not a delay in healing in the gastrointestinal tract following electroincision. It is concluded that in abdominal surgery the diathermy can be used without detriment to the strength of any suture line and with no difference in its final healing.