Comparison of Diathermy versus Surgical Scalpel for Skin Incisions in Elective General Surgical Procedures

Objective: To compare diathermy versus surgical scalpel in skin incisions elective general procedures regarding incision time, post-operative pain and site infection.
 Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.
 Place Duration: Department of Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar Pakistan, from Feb to Jul 2020.
 Methodology: A total 106 patients undergoing aged 20-60 years belonging either gender were included the study. They divided into two equal groups 53 each. Patients with ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dirty contaminated excluded. Group-A underwent diathermy, while Group-B a blade on scalpel. The time was noted for both groups. All followed per visual analogue score development infection. 
 Results: Mean (Diathermy-Group) 46.58±8.03 seconds, (Scalpel-Group), it 54.75±7.91 seconds (p<0.001). mean (Diathermy Group) 2.25±0.76, (Scalpel Group), 3.58±0.91 Wound infection found 3.77% Group-A, Group- B, 15.09% (p=0.046).
 Conclusion: Incision Diathermy is better than postoperative