title: Layered closure versus buried sutures and adhesive strips for cheek defect repair after cutaneous malignancy excision.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary closure of surgical defects after excision of cutaneous malignancies has been traditionally accomplished with layered closure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to compare the cosmetic outcome of cheek defects repaired with layered closure versus buried sutures and adhesive strips.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 38 patients underwent excision of a cutaneous malignancy on the cheek by primary excision or Mohs micrographic surgery. Patients were prospectively randomized to receive layered closure to one half of the repair and buried sutures with adhesive strip closure for the other half of the repair. Follow-up assessment was performed by a blinded evaluator using a visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in scar contour, erythema, or overall cosmesis between closure types.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All study participants were Caucasian, with a mean age of 68 years, limiting generalizability of results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Layered closure does not have a cosmetic advantage over buried sutures and adhesive strips for the primary repair of cheek defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0592, USA. plotneaa@ucmail.uc.edu
authors.forename: Alisha N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Plotner
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mailler-Savage
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Hugh M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Gloster
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D002610:Cheek; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques