Closure of Pfannenstiel skin incisions. Staples vs. subcuticular suture.
OBJECTIVE
To compare skin closure with staples and subcuticular suture.


METHODS
Obstetric patients undergoing cesarean section with a Pfannenstiel incision were prospectively randomized to skin closure with staples or subcuticular suture. Pain and cosmesis were assessed postoperatively.


RESULTS
Patients reported significantly less pain following subcuticular closure at both the time of discharge (P < or = .01) and the postoperative visit (P < or = .002). Incisions closed with subcuticular suture were found to be more cosmetically attractive by both patients (P = .04) and physicians (P = .01) at the postoperative visit.


CONCLUSIONS
Pfannenstiel skin incisions closed with subcuticular closure following cesarean section result in less postoperative discomfort and are more cosmetically appealing at the six-week postoperative visit as compared to incisions closed with staples.
Frishman
G N
GN
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women & Infants' Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Schwartz
T
T
Hogan
J W
JW
D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000379:methods*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain; D011247:Pregnancy; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures