The use of a self-removal prolene suture after daycase laparoscopic surgery.
BACKGROUND
The use of nonabsorbable skin sutures after daycase laparoscopic surgery is said to give better cosmetic results but the need for the patient to return for subsequent removal negates some of the advantages of daycase surgery. We therefore devised a skin stitch tied like half a shoelace, which could be removed at home by the patients themselves, but we needed to assess whether patients were willing and capable of removing their own sutures.


METHODS
Between May 2003 and August 2004 a qualitative study using in-depth interviews investigated 89 women undergoing elective laparoscopic daycase surgery and using our "slip knot" suture.


RESULTS
Patients were initially anxious about removing their own sutures but very few practical problems were encountered with most welcoming the use of the same stitch on a subsequent occasion. A strong finding was the positive feeling that patients had about participating in their own care.


CONCLUSIONS
The slip knot stitch is a simple, effective form of skin closure, improving time management for both staff and patients and empowering patients with decisions about their own care. It is popular with patients.
Doto
Teresa A
TA
Hull and East Yorkshire Women and Children's Hospital, Anlaby Road, Hull, HU3 2JZ, UK.
Killick
Stephen R
SR
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011126:Polypropylenes; D013536:Suture Techniques
D011126:Polypropylenes