Abstract

Wound healing is influenced by both systemic and local factors. The scalpel produces a clean, incised wound with minimal tissue destruction. Electocautery produces a burn of variable depkh in the tissue, but may reduce heeding and make the incision quicker. In this study 226 patients who underwent thyroidectomy in our clinic between 1989-1994 were rewieved retrospectively. Patients, whose flap elevation was made with sharp dissection and electrocautery were compared according to the wound complications which were developed during postoperative period. Wound complications were developed in 14 of 125 patients (11.2%) in electocautery group and 13 of 101 patients (12.8%) in sharp dissection group. The differences was not significant (p >0.05). As a result may say that, during thyroidectomy flap elevation with diatermy, did not increase the rate of wound complications.