Effect of glossectomy technique on histopathologic assessment in a rat model.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare the tissue effects of 3 surgical methods of glossectomy with respect to histopathologic assessment by a pathologist. METHODS The anterior tongue of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats was excised using either a steel scalpel, monopolar electrosurgery, or ultrasonic scalpel (3 groups of 10). Specimens were examined by a pathologist blinded to the surgical procedure, using a previously described grading system for margin artifact assessment. RESULTS Minimal tissue disruption at the surgical margin was produced by the steel scalpel, in contrast to monopolar electrosurgery and ultrasonic scalpel, which both produced varying levels of tissue distortion. Margin fragmentation was significantly greater with monopolar electrosurgery when compared to an ultrasonic scalpel. CONCLUSION Ultrasonic scalpel creates less tissue distortion at the surgical margin than monopolar electrosurgery. Further study is required to determine the clinical relevance of these findings.