Effects of Steel Scalpel, Ultrasonic Scalpel, CO2 Laser, and Monopolar and Bipolar Electrosurgery on Wound Healing in Guinea Pig Oral Mucosa

Objective The study's objective was to compare instrument performance and tissue healing when steel scalpel, ultrasonic scalpel, monopolar or bipolar electrosurgical instruments, or CO2 laser was used in an animal oral surgery model. Study Design Prospective, blinded, randomized. Methods Adult guinea pigs (N = 70) were randomly assigned to 5 groups (14 animals per group) for excision of 2‐cm, full‐thickness oral mucosa using steel scalpel, ultrasonic scalpel, monopolar or bipolar electrosurgical instruments, or CO2 laser. Postoperative pain was measured indirectly using weekly body weight changes. Animals from each group were killed on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Specimens were harvested for blinded histopathological study and tensile strength measurement. Instrument performance (hemostasis, tissue coagulation, tissue sticking) and wound healing (tissue re‐epithelialization, degree of inflammation) were primary outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance. Results The ultrasonic scalpel was the best tool in controlling hemostasis, tissue coagulation, and tissue sticking. Significantly higher body weight gain (P