Scalpel versus electrocautery skin incisions in postauricular tympanoplasty: a randomized clinical trial study

Abstract Background Generally, a scalpel is used for postauricular skin incisions in tympanoplasty. The present trial aimed to compare electrocautery and scalpel skin incisions in terms of wound complications and cosmetic results in tympanoplasty. Settings and design Chronic otitis media patients wh...

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Main Authors: Behrouz Barati, Sara Sharifi, Matin Ghazizadeh, Mahboobe Asadi, Fatemeh Jahanshahi, Ehsan Barzanouni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00848-w
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author Behrouz Barati
Sara Sharifi
Matin Ghazizadeh
Mahboobe Asadi
Fatemeh Jahanshahi
Ehsan Barzanouni
author_facet Behrouz Barati
Sara Sharifi
Matin Ghazizadeh
Mahboobe Asadi
Fatemeh Jahanshahi
Ehsan Barzanouni
author_sort Behrouz Barati
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Generally, a scalpel is used for postauricular skin incisions in tympanoplasty. The present trial aimed to compare electrocautery and scalpel skin incisions in terms of wound complications and cosmetic results in tympanoplasty. Settings and design Chronic otitis media patients who were candidates for tympanoplasty with a postauricular approach were assigned to skin incisions with either electrocautery (n = 31) or scalpel (n = 28). Methods The initial result of the initial incision site and its cosmetic outcomes were recorded. A single-blind observer performed subjective and objective assessments of the incision site scar at the end of the first and sixth postoperative months. Statistical analysis used All data were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0. The chi-square test and t-test were used to compare the results. A two-sided P-value of ≤ 0.05 was set as a statistically significant threshold. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (IR.SBMU.MSP.REC.1398.565) on 2019 September 24 and a randomized clinical trial registry (IRCT20210210050316N1) on 2021 February 24. Results Blood loss during skin incision was lower in the electrocautery group (P < 0.05). Incision site infection, wound dehiscence, hematoma, seroma formations, and postoperative pain were similar in both groups. Subjective and objective scar scores did not significantly differ between the two groups at the end of the first and sixth postoperative months. Conclusions Compared to scalpel, electrocautery indicates better surgical site homeostasis with similar results in incision site complications and cosmetic outcomes. Thus, electrocautery can be considered an alternative to a scalpel for postauricular skin incisions in tympanoplasty.
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spelling doaj-art-25702f32fa76415d835853fbacb2de722025-08-20T03:42:23ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology2090-85392025-07-014111710.1186/s43163-025-00848-wScalpel versus electrocautery skin incisions in postauricular tympanoplasty: a randomized clinical trial studyBehrouz Barati0Sara Sharifi1Matin Ghazizadeh2Mahboobe Asadi3Fatemeh Jahanshahi4Ehsan Barzanouni5Otolaryngology Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesOtolaryngology Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesOtolaryngology Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesOtolaryngology Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical ScienceOphthalmology Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Generally, a scalpel is used for postauricular skin incisions in tympanoplasty. The present trial aimed to compare electrocautery and scalpel skin incisions in terms of wound complications and cosmetic results in tympanoplasty. Settings and design Chronic otitis media patients who were candidates for tympanoplasty with a postauricular approach were assigned to skin incisions with either electrocautery (n = 31) or scalpel (n = 28). Methods The initial result of the initial incision site and its cosmetic outcomes were recorded. A single-blind observer performed subjective and objective assessments of the incision site scar at the end of the first and sixth postoperative months. Statistical analysis used All data were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0. The chi-square test and t-test were used to compare the results. A two-sided P-value of ≤ 0.05 was set as a statistically significant threshold. The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (IR.SBMU.MSP.REC.1398.565) on 2019 September 24 and a randomized clinical trial registry (IRCT20210210050316N1) on 2021 February 24. Results Blood loss during skin incision was lower in the electrocautery group (P < 0.05). Incision site infection, wound dehiscence, hematoma, seroma formations, and postoperative pain were similar in both groups. Subjective and objective scar scores did not significantly differ between the two groups at the end of the first and sixth postoperative months. Conclusions Compared to scalpel, electrocautery indicates better surgical site homeostasis with similar results in incision site complications and cosmetic outcomes. Thus, electrocautery can be considered an alternative to a scalpel for postauricular skin incisions in tympanoplasty.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00848-wTympanoplastyElectrocauteryScalpelSkin incision
spellingShingle Behrouz Barati
Sara Sharifi
Matin Ghazizadeh
Mahboobe Asadi
Fatemeh Jahanshahi
Ehsan Barzanouni
Scalpel versus electrocautery skin incisions in postauricular tympanoplasty: a randomized clinical trial study
The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology
Tympanoplasty
Electrocautery
Scalpel
Skin incision
title Scalpel versus electrocautery skin incisions in postauricular tympanoplasty: a randomized clinical trial study
title_full Scalpel versus electrocautery skin incisions in postauricular tympanoplasty: a randomized clinical trial study
title_fullStr Scalpel versus electrocautery skin incisions in postauricular tympanoplasty: a randomized clinical trial study
title_full_unstemmed Scalpel versus electrocautery skin incisions in postauricular tympanoplasty: a randomized clinical trial study
title_short Scalpel versus electrocautery skin incisions in postauricular tympanoplasty: a randomized clinical trial study
title_sort scalpel versus electrocautery skin incisions in postauricular tympanoplasty a randomized clinical trial study
topic Tympanoplasty
Electrocautery
Scalpel
Skin incision
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00848-w
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