A comparitive study of the healing of wounds made by scalpel and electrosurgery in rabbits.

A study in the rabbit of the healing of wounds made by electrosurgery and scalpel showed less damage to the tissues arose with the scalpel and healing was more advanced at 24 and 48 hours. More extensive bleeding occurred when electrosurgery was used on the tongue. At 72 hours extensive fibrous tissue was seen but infiltration with inflammatory cells was heavier where electrosurgery was used. Epithelium had covered all wounds at seven days but basal cell layers were not complete and papillae had not reappeared on the tongue.