#15 Versus #15c Scalpel Blades for Skin Incisions: Accuracy With and Without Magnification. Issue 6 (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iwanaga, Joe; Kato, Tomotaka; Dumont, Aaron S.; Tubbs, R. Shane
• Is Part Of: Dermatologic surgery. Volume 47:Issue 6(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Skin -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.477
• DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000002993
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-0512

Abstract

Abstract : BACKGROUND: Use of a #15 blade is the most popular way for making skin incisions in dermatology. For finer and more accurate incisions, a #15c blade can be used. However, there is no evidence that demonstrates the superiority of the #15c blade over the #15 blade. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the skin incisions made with a #15 blade and #15c blade using varied magnifications. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty fresh chicken thighs with intact skin were used in this study. Incisions were made on the skin using #15 and #15c blades with ×1.0, ×2.5, and ×5.0 magnification. The accuracy of the incision (length and depth) made by the different scalpel blades and magnifications was analyzed using the 2 × 3 chi-squared test. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine factors of the incision depth and length. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in the evaluations of length or depth using the 2 × 3 chi-squared test. However, the multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the incision length and depth were associated with use of the #15c scalpel blade. CONCLUSION: Use of a #15c scalpel blade with ×5.0 magnification is recommended for making incisions when less than 1- to 2-mm accuracy is required.