Histopathologic studies on wound healing caused by scalpel incision, cryosurgery and electrocautery on hamsters.

Scalpel incision, cryosurgery as demonstrated by the use of dry ice, and electrocautery have different effects both clinically and histologically. Twelve hamsters of equal weight were divided into four study groups to compare which of the three methods of incision initiates a faster healing capacity. Surgical incisions were made of equal depths and were observed after 2, 5, 10 and 12 days. Results showed a marked cellular infiltration in electrocautery as compared with the scalpel incision method and the dry ice incision.