Comparison of Radiofrequency and Electrocautery with the Conventional Scalpel Incisions

Abstract Background The disadvantages of conventional scalpels, including insufficient control of bleeding, prompted the researchers to search for new alternative methods such as electrosurgery and radiosurgery. In this study, the conventional scalpel was compared with radiosurgery and electrosurgery for wound healing with assessment of lateral heat production, inflammation, and instrument performance. Methods Incisions were made in the palatal mucosa of 42 Wistar rats using scalpel, electrocautery, and radiofrequency instruments. Postoperative hemostasis, tissue coagulation, and tissue sticking were measured and pain evaluation through weight loss was recorded. Gingival biopsies from the surgical area were obtained at the time of surgery and 2, 4, 7, and 14 days postoperatively and were evaluated immunohistochemically for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heat-shock protein-70 (HSP70). Kruskal–Wallis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical evaluation. Results The rats in the electrosurgery and radiosurgery groups had aggressively greater weight loss when compared with the scalpel group in the first seven days. Hemostasis was better in electrocautery, tissue coagulation was greater in radiofrequency (P = 0.000), and tissue sticking was lesser in the scalpel group (P = 0.000) compared to the other groups. iNOS and HSP70 expression was similar in all three groups. Conclusions Electrosurgery performed better regarding hemostasis, whereas a scalpel was superior in terms of tissue sticking and tissue coagulation. Radiosurgery was superior in hemostasis when compared to a conventional scalpel, but it was not as successful as electrosurgery.