Randomized clinical trial comparing two mastectomy techniques.

BACKGROUND: The unit was considering the routine use of diathermy scissors for standard mastectomy surgery. We therefore aimed to assess scientifically the outcome of patients following the use of this instrument in their operation before accepting it as a routine procedure.

METHODS: A single blind randomized control trial compared the outcome of patients undergoing simple mastectomy using either the standard scalpel blade technique or the bipolar cutting scissors technique. Each arm of the trial contained 30 patients.

RESULTS: The two primary outcome measures were blood loss intraoperatively and the operating time. There was a significant difference between the two groups, with a statistically significant benefit in the scissors group in terms of the secondary outcome measures of chest wall clearance and skin flap development as assessments of surgical completeness of mastectomy. There is no evidence of any other secondary outcome measures differing between the treatment groups.

CONCLUSION: There is strong evidence that using electric scissors reduces intraoperative blood loss and operating time. There is some evidence that the scissors may provide better surgical completeness of mastectomy.