Randomized trial of skin closure after laparotomy for gynaecological surgery.
BACKGROUND
New suture materials may provide patients with a better cosmetic outcome at similar pain and wound complication rate.


METHODS
To assess pain and cosmetic outcome among patients randomized to receive wound closure after laparotomy for gynaecological surgery using staples, polyglecaprone 25 or polyglecaprone 6211 subcuticular sutures.


RESULTS
Overall, 90 patients (87.4% consent rate) were randomized. There was no difference in wound complications and pain between the three groups. Patients randomized to polyglecaprone 6211 subcuticular sutures rated the cosmetic result at 1 and 6 weeks after surgery somewhat lower than patients randomized to the two alternative groups; however, at 3 months after surgery, all three groups rated the cosmetic result as similar.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the three wound closure methods have similar short-term pain and cosmetic outcomes, as well as a similar rate of wound complications, leaving the decision of the most appropriate closure method to individual surgeons.
Obermair
Andreas
A
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. andreas_obermair@health.qld.gov.au
Crandon
Alex
A
Perrin
Lewis
L
Walsh
Tom
T
Carrazo
Marcelo
M
Nicklin
James
J
D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D013537:Sutures