#15 Versus #15c Scalpel Blades for Skin Incisions: Accuracy With and Without Magnification

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 x1.0, x2.5, and x5.0 magnification. The accuracy of the incision (length and depth) made by the different scalpel blades and magnifications was analyzed using the 2 x 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 x 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 x5.0 magnification is recommended for making incisions when less than 1- to 2-mm accuracy is required.

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