Scalpel Edge Roughness Affects Post-Transection Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
With PLANATOME TECHNOLOGY, the surgical experience has changed for both the surgeon and the patient — for the better! Our improved surgical blades help eliminate the surgically induced tissue trauma by providing a more refined surgical incision. DOWNLOAD THIS RECENTLY PUBLISHED STUDY to learn more about the benefits of our scalpel blade and surgical wound healing.
Download the publication; learn how blade roughness can minimize the area of tissue damage.
Concerns about peripheral postsurgical nerve damage and regeneration that occurs post-transection prompted this research into how scalpel blade roughness affects healing. This research was designed to determine how important the quality of the scalpel blade is in determining post surgical healing, comparing standard blades and the Planatome blade.
“The quality of the scalpel blade is an important determinant of postsurgical healing. Gentle handling of tissue matters.”
Using Planatome’s high-quality scalpel blade is the perfect choice for any medical/surgical professional concerned about tissue damage and preserving tissue to promote optimal healing. Learn more about Planatome Technology, and contact our team for sales and distribution information.
Reduced Tissue Damage, Optimized Healing
By using a gentle and precise blade for tissue dissection, you can expect a reduced amount of tissue damage. This means more tissue is preserved to allow for optimized healing.
Smoother Blade, Faster Recovery
Planatome Technology has shown that by using a smoother scalpel blade, surgical wound healing time is decreased. A smoother blade allows for easier access and, therefore, results in a faster recovery after surgery.
Less Pain, Improved Nerve Regeneration
Pain after incisions made with the smoother scalpel blades is less than that of a rougher, standard scalpel blade. A significant improvement was seen in the rate of nerve regeneration, meaning that post surgical nerve damage was minimized.
Improved Nerve Regeneration Post Surgery
Although a surgeon’s initial instinct might assume that all scalpel blades are made equally, this study helps prove that is no longer the case. After this study on scalpel edge roughness and how it affects post-transection peripheral nerve damage, it is conclusive that scalpel edge roughness matters a great deal. For patients, nerve regeneration after surgery is a big concern in healing.
This research project, led by Hannes Prescher, M.D., Michelle X. Ling, M.S., Victoria Bigdelle, Undergraduate, Clifford L. Spiro, Ph.D. 1, Raphael C. Lee, M.D., Sc.D., was designed to determine if a scalpel blade with a smoother edge (Planatome’s blade) would improve healing and reduce collateral tissue damage. Female Hartley guinea pigs were used to compare incisions and healing time, using a Bard-Parker #15 as received and a Bard-Parker #15 after advanced polishing. A standard surgical approach was used for each animal.
The surgeon was blinded to the type of scalpel used, which was prospectively randomized to either the standard or polished blade. The skin incisions were closed in two layers. Animals in the control and experimental groups were then subdivided into three groups of three animals each to be examined at postoperative weeks five, nine, and 12, respectively. All of the guinea pigs survived the surgery and were without signs of pain or distress. There was a significant improvement in the rate of axon regeneration observed for nerves transected with the polished blade versus those transected with standard scalpel blades.
Why should we be using highly polished blades? In short, the results of this study show smoother scalpel blades can reduce local traumatic tissue injury and improve wound healing. Using a highly finished scalpel blade that has a 20-fold improvement in surface smoothness compared to the standard blade resulted in accelerated structural and functional recovery after complete nerve transection. Any manipulation of tissue with a scalpel blade invariably produces an element of crush damage; however, by optimizing the surface finish of the blades used by Planatome Technology, we can minimize the area of tissue damage.