Comparative cosmetic outcome of surgical incisions created by the PEAK Plasma Blade and a scalpel after cesarean section by Patient and Observer Assessment Scale (POSAS): A randomized double blind study

Abstract

The PEAK Plasma Blade has superior cosmetic outcome compared to traditional scalpel skin incision at cesarean section.

Comparison of PEAK PlasmaBlade™ to conventional diathermy in abdominal-based free-flap breast reconstruction surgery—A single-centre double-blinded randomised controlled trial

“…The PEAK PlasmaBlade ™ is a new electrosurgical device (Medtronic Advanced Energy, LLC., Portsmouth, New Hampshire) which uses very brief pulses (40µsec) of radio frequency energy to create electrical plasma along the edge of a thin (12.5µm) 99.5% insulated electrode, creating a cutting edge with simultaneous homeostatic properties [20,35]. Depending on the settings this technology uses less total energy and can operate at significantly lower temperatures than traditional electrosurgical devices which leads to less collateral thermal damage [20].…”

“…Depending on the settings this technology uses less total energy and can operate at significantly lower temperatures than traditional electrosurgical devices which leads to less collateral thermal damage [20]. Experimental studies have shown skin incisions with the PEAK PlasmaBlade ™ used in a low cut mode setting (6 Watt) have a wound-healing profile comparable to that of scalpel incisions and superior to those of conventional electrosurgical incisions with respect to zone of thermal injury, inflammation, wound strength and scar formation [20,22,35,36]. In breast surgery, Dogan et al [24] published a statistically significant difference between drain output and drainage duration in mastectomies favouring the use of the PEAK PlasmaBlade ™ (n=24) over conventional electrocautery (n=22).…”

Comparative Morphological Effects of Cold-Blade, Electrosurgical, and Plasma Scalpels on Dog Skin

“…Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the use of a plasma scalpel on human skin produces better cosmetic outcomes compared with electrosurgery, because of the reduced duty cycle that allows for efficient cooling of the plasma blade. [1,8] This study aimed to assess the histological effects of thermal injury and coagulative necrosis produced by a plasma scalpel compared with other techniques. Hemostasis was not considered, and it should be considered another limitation of the study.…”

“…Plasma, from the physical point of view, is believed to be the fourth state of aggregation of matter, between the liquid and the gaseous states, a sort of liquefied gas according to physicists. This plasma rim provides a cutting edge for precise tissue dissection with simultaneous hemostasis and lesser thermal damage by the blade at physiological body temperatures [1][2][3].…”

Wound Care With a Porcine Extracellular Matrix After Surgical Treatment of Rhinophyma

“…Moreover, both are established scores to evaluate and compare the cosmetic appearance of different surgical procedures. 20,21 RHISI allows for a classification of different severe grades of rhinophyma by a single score, which can also be assessed by clinical photos in terms of missing data. This index was introduced and described in detail by Wetzig et al 19 All assessments were performed at follow-up visits too.…”