title: Closure of traumatic wounds without cleaning and suturing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In less than ideal situations wounds have to be closed without extensive cleaning using sterile adhesive strips (Steristrips). This prospective analyses the efficiency of this technique and compares it to the more conventional approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Altogether 147 lacerations were closed with sterile strips with no wound cleaning. Patients were subsequently followed up for a minimum of three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sepsis rate in compliant patients was 1.4% with a total complication rate of 2.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This technique, while contradicting the "sacred tenets" of wound closure, is a cheap, quick, and effective alternative to routine closure of traumatic wounds in a casualty department.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of the West Indies, General Hospital, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies. dalemaharaj@hotmail.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maharaj
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramdass
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Naraynsingh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D004203:Disinfection; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology