title: Wound complications and stitch length.
abstract: The effect of suturing with a very short stitch on the development of wound complications in midline incisions was investigated. Three hundred sixty-eight patients were analysed. The suture length to wound length ratio and mean stitch length were calculated. Wound infection occurred in 4% (four of 103) of patients sutured with a mean stitch length of less than 4 cm, in 8% (nine of 117) with stitch length 4-4.9 cm, and in 16% (24 of 148) with a longer stitch ( P=0.004). At 12-month follow up, incisional hernia was present in 3% (two of 76) of patients sutured with a mean stitch length of less than 4 cm and in 12% (25 of 215) sutured with a longer stitch ( P=0.043). In midline incisions closed with a suture length to wound length ratio of at least 4, a short stitch is associated with a lower rate of both wound infection and incisional hernia.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014945:Wound Healing