Skin closure in carpal tunnel surgery: a prospective comparative study between nylon, polyglactin 910 and stainless steel sutures.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the cosmetic outcome, pain and tenderness around the operation scar of carpal tunnel syndrome surgery using either nylon, polyglactin 910 or stainless steel sutures for skin closure.


METHODS
A randomised clinical trial comparing nylon, polyglactin 910 or stainless steel sutures for skin closure in 61 patients undergoing carpal tunnel syndrome surgery was performed. Pain, tenderness, scar hypertrophy, redness and the presence of granulomas were assessed in all patients at ten days and six weeks after surgery and compared by non-parametric statistical tests.


RESULTS
Adequate surgical decompression of the median nerve could be achieved in all patients. All but two patients experienced significant relief of tingling of the fingers. Nearly all patients reported some degree of discomfort around the scar. At ten days, the mean pain score was 1.7 (+/-2.2), 3.1 (+/-2.3) and 1.9 (+/-2.3) for the nylon, vicryl and steel groups, respectively. At six weeks, the pain score was 3.6 (+/-3.1), 3.4 (+/-2.6) and 2.7 (+/-2.1) for the nylon, vicryl and steel groups, respectively. The infection rate was 0%, 8% and 0% for the nylon, vicryl and steel groups, respectively. Suture granulomas were significantly more present in the vicryl group (p<0.05). There were no statistical differences in redness or hypertrophy of the wound between the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Nylon and stainless steel sutures are both suitable for skin closure after carpal tunnel surgery. Based on this study, absorbable vicryl sutures should not be used, since the incidence of infections and the presence of suture granulomas was much higher than in the nylon and steel suture groups.
Menovsky
Tomas
T
Neurosurgical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. menovsky@hotmail.com
Bartels
Ronald H M A
RH
van Lindert
Erik L
EL
Grotenhuis
J André
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009757:Nylons / Q000009:adverse effects; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011098:Polyglactin 910 / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000009:adverse effects; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009757:Nylons; D013193:Stainless Steel; D011098:Polyglactin 910