Comparison of lateral thermal injury and healing of porcine skin incisions performed by CO2-laser, monopolar electrosurgery and radiosurgery: a preliminary study based on histological and immunohistochemical results.

Background: Despite the wide application of lasers and electrosurgery in dermatology, the pertinent literature provides conflicting data regarding the lateral thermal injury (LTI) associated with these instruments and its effects on wound healing. This study aims to quantitate the LTI produced by CO(2)-laser, monopolar electrosurgery (MES), and radiosurgery (MRS) and determine its effects on the healing process (re-epithelialization and inflammatory response) of incisional wounds.

Methods: Five adult swine of similar weight (22.