The Shaw Scalpel and Development of Facial Nerve Paresis After Superficial Parotidectomy

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
USE OF the Shaw scalpel was advocated in the early 1980s as a means of decreasing operative time by control of bleeding.1 The advantage of using the Shaw scalpel over conventional electrosurgical units (ESU, Valleylab, Boulder, Colo) is reduced tissue damage.1 Some surgeons choose to use ties rather than electrosurgical units to control bleeding. Parotid gland surgery involves the additional consideration of facial nerve injury. Use of an electrosurgical unit near the nerve may lead to facial nerve injury. Dissection of the gland from the facial nerve can be time consuming. There is no standardized technique for dissection of the gland. Some surgeons prefer to use clamps while dissecting the nerve and to use ties to control the bleeding, while others use the Shaw scalpel to control bleeding and to speed up the dissection. The use of the Shaw scalpel in parotid surgery and mainly around the facial nerve has been advocated.2,3

This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit: