Cautery versus scalpel for abdominal skin incisions: a double blind, randomized crossover trial of scar cosmesis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is any difference in cosmetic outcome between using cutting diathermy and using a scalpel to make abdominal skin incisions.

Method: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind crossover study. The primary end point was wound cosmesis as judged by the patient.