TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparative healing of surgical incisions created by the peak plasmablade, conventional electrosurgery, and a scalpel
AU - Loh, Shang A.
AU - Carlson, Grace A.
AU - Chang, Edward I.
AU - Huang, Eric
AU - Palanker, Daniel
AU - Gurtner, Geoffrey C.
PY - 2009/12
Y1 - 2009/12
N2 - Background: The PEAK PlasmaBlade is a new electrosurgical device that uses pulsed radiofrequency to generate a plasma-mediated discharge along the exposed rim of an insulated blade, creating an effective cutting edge while the blade stays near body temperature. Methods: Full-thickness incisions were made on the dorsums of pigs with the PlasmaBlade, a conventional electrosurgical device, and a scalpel, and blood loss was quantified. Wounds were harvested at designated time points, tested for wound tensile strength, and examined histologically for scar formation and tissue damage. Results: Bleeding was reduced significantly (59 percent) in PlasmaBlade incisions compared with scalpel incisions, and acute thermal damage from the PlasmaBlade (66 ± 5 μm) was significantly less than both cut and coagulation mode electrosurgical incisions (456 ± 35 μm and 615 ± 22 μm, respectively). Histologic scoring for injury and wound strength was equivalent between the PlasmaBlade and scalpel incisions. By 6 weeks, the healed PlasmaBlade and scalpel incisions were approximately three times stronger, and scar cosmetic appearance was significantly better compared with electrosurgical incisions. Conclusions: The PlasmaBlade is a promising new surgical instrument that provides atraumatic, scalpel-like cutting precision and electrosurgical-like hemostasis, resulting in minimal bleeding, tissue injury, and scar formation.
AB - Background: The PEAK PlasmaBlade is a new electrosurgical device that uses pulsed radiofrequency to generate a plasma-mediated discharge along the exposed rim of an insulated blade, creating an effective cutting edge while the blade stays near body temperature. Methods: Full-thickness incisions were made on the dorsums of pigs with the PlasmaBlade, a conventional electrosurgical device, and a scalpel, and blood loss was quantified. Wounds were harvested at designated time points, tested for wound tensile strength, and examined histologically for scar formation and tissue damage. Results: Bleeding was reduced significantly (59 percent) in PlasmaBlade incisions compared with scalpel incisions, and acute thermal damage from the PlasmaBlade (66 ± 5 μm) was significantly less than both cut and coagulation mode electrosurgical incisions (456 ± 35 μm and 615 ± 22 μm, respectively). Histologic scoring for injury and wound strength was equivalent between the PlasmaBlade and scalpel incisions. By 6 weeks, the healed PlasmaBlade and scalpel incisions were approximately three times stronger, and scar cosmetic appearance was significantly better compared with electrosurgical incisions. Conclusions: The PlasmaBlade is a promising new surgical instrument that provides atraumatic, scalpel-like cutting precision and electrosurgical-like hemostasis, resulting in minimal bleeding, tissue injury, and scar formation.
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U2 - 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181bcee87
DO - 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181bcee87
M3 - Article
C2 - 19952641
AN - SCOPUS:74049126558
SN - 0032-1052
VL - 124
SP - 1849
EP - 1859
JO - Plastic and reconstructive surgery
JF - Plastic and reconstructive surgery
IS - 6
ER -