A randomised controlled trial of transverse skin crease vs. vertical midline incision for right hemicolectomy

A transverse skin crease incision for right hemicolectomy may result in more rapid recovery than traditional vertical midline incision. This hypothesis was tested with a prospective randomised trial. Patients from 2 centres undergoing right hemicolectomy were randomised to received a midline or transverse incision. Incision lengths were sufficient to enable unrestricted resection of the right colon. Patients and carers were blinded to the incisions using strategically placed dressings. Analgesia and oral intake were controlled by the patient. Operative details and recovery parameters were compared. A total of 28 patients were randomised. Demographic data and tumour characteristics of the two treatment groups were similar. The transverse incision group had a slightly shorter median wound (10 cm vs. 11 cm, p