Outcome of a prospective randomized controlled study comparing perioperative blood loss and postoperative pain in total mastectomies performed by scalpel and electrocautery

A comparison of blood loss and pain was undertaken in a prospective randomized controlled study. Twenty-eight patients were entered into the study, 14 in the scalpel group and 14 in the electrocautery group. A level 11 axillary clearance was performed by scissors dissection in each case. Using the Mann-Whitney U test, there were no significant differences in the two groups with respect to median perioperative blood loss and postoperative pain as measured by a 100 point visual analogue scale, a 5 point verbal rating scale and the patient controlled analgesia monitor. It is concluded that there is no difference in perioperative blood loss or postoperative pain between the two methods used, and either is acceptable as a technique of raising mastectomy flaps.