Comparison of two different electrosurgical devices in reduction mammoplasty: Monopolar electrocautery versus plasmakinetic cautery.

[BACKGROUND] Many devices are used for dissection and hemostasis during reduction mammoplasty. While one of the most common methods is monopolar electrocautery, tissue damage due to thermal spread remains a controversial topic. New devices have been designed to minimize this effect. In this study, plasmakinetic cautery was hypothesized to reduce sensation loss, drainage, and wound-healing problems in reduction mammoplasty because it is less harmful to the surrounding tissues.

[METHODS] Sixty-eight patients were evaluated in a matched pair design, with random (blinded) assignment of 34 patients with conventional monopolar electrocautery (Group A) and 34 patients with plasmakinetic cautery (group B). Postoperative drainage volume, drain duration, nipple-areolar complex (NAC) sensation, and complications (dehiscence, seroma, ischemia, and nipple circulatory problems) were compared by the researcher, who was blinded to the device used for the patient.

[RESULTS] The groups were comparable in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and medications (p > 0.05). The mean age of the patients were 38.50 ± 9.14 years in group A and 37.54 ± 8.17 in group B. The mean BMI was 25.19 ± 3.22 kg/m in group A and 25.65 ± 2.96 kg/m in group B. No differences were detected between the groups in terms of drain duration time, NAC sensation, or complications, but the drainage volume was statistically lower with plasmakinetic cautery (p < 0.05).

[CONCLUSION] The study findings indicate that the main advantage of plasmakinetic cautery in reduction mammoplasty was a decrease in drainage volume when compared with monopolar electrocautery.