ABSTRACT
Aim: To assess and compare the outcomes of the cutaneous neck dissection incisions taken by Colorado microdissection needle, surgical blade and cutting electrocautery in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized control, comparative study was carried out on 21 patients. These patients were divided into 3 groups containing 7 patients in each group. The intra operative and post operative outcomes were evaluated. Statistical analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics using Chisquare test, Fisher's Exact Test, one way ANOVA and multiple comparison Tukey Test and software used in the analysis were SPSS 27.0 version and GraphPad Prism 7.0 version and P < 0.05 is considered as level of significance. Results: The time taken for placing cutaneous skin incision and blood loss was more in the surgical blade group as compared to the Colorado microdissection needle and electrocautery. Statistically no significant difference between the three group while comparing the cutaneous neck incision healing and post operative scar formation. Conclusion: This study proves the superiority of the Colorado microdissection needle in terms of time taken and blood loss with similar aesthetic outcome in terms of cutaneous wound healing and post operative scar formation when compared to surgical blade and cutting electrocautery.