None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to compare the cosmetic outcomes of skin incisions made by diathermy and scalpel blade. Patients undergoing open hernia repair or elective midline laparotomy surgery will be recruited for this study. Each half of the incision (medial/lateral or superior/inferior) will be randomised into scalpel(control) or diathermy(intervention). Patients are blinded to this randomisation process. Primary outcome is the patient’s and independent observer’s assessment of which half of the wound has the better cosmetic outcome.
Interventions
Skin incisions with monopolar diathermy. Estimated duration for incising skin with diathermy(intervention) should take no longer than 30 seconds. The remaining time of the operation will depend on the nature and complexity of procedure and this does not relate to the intervention but more to the underlying pathology or disease being treated with the proposed surgery.
One half of the wound will be incised using a monopolar diathermy on "Cutting" setting. The depth of incision will be limited to t
Skin incisions with monopolar diathermy. Estimated duration for incising skin with diathermy(intervention) should take no longer than 30 seconds. The remaining time of the operation will depend on the nature and complexity of procedure and this does not relate to the intervention but more to the underlying pathology or disease being treated with the proposed surgery. One half of the wound will be incised using a monopolar diathermy on "Cutting" setting. The depth of incision will be limited to the full depth of dermis only, just like with the scalpel incision. Dissection of the subcutaneous tissue will be done in the conventional method using diathermy on "Coagulation" setting. All patients will have incisions done with a diathermy and scalpel. Randomisation process will determine which half of the skin wound is incised with diathermy and which half with scalpel.
Sponsors
Geelong Hospital
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1) Patients undergoing surgery for open hernia repair or midline laparotomy surgery. 2) Able to comprehend and sign consent form and verbal questionaire.
Exclusion criteria
Inability to consent for study.
Outcome results
None listed