title: Clinical outcome and cost comparison of carpal tunnel wound closure with monocryl and ethilon: a prospective study.
abstract: This prospective non-randomised two-cohort study compares the use of an absorbable suture (Poliglecrapone [Monocryl]: Group A) and a non-absorbable suture (Polyamide [Ethilon]: Group B) in wound closure after elective carpal tunnel decompression. The primary outcome was scar cosmesis as assessed by the Stonybrook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES); the financial cost of wound closure was compared as a secondary outocome. All fifty patients completed follow-up. At six weeks, there was no significant difference in the two groups regarding scar tenderness (p = 0.5), although residual swelling was more evident in the absorbable group (p = 0.2). The mean SBSES score at six weeks was 4.72 in Group A, and 4.8 in Group B (p = 0.3). The unit cost per closed wound of Monocryl was three times than Ethilon (p < 0.05). Ethilon is thus cost-effective without compromising the cosmetic outcome, and we recommend using this as the preferred suture for closure of carpal tunnel wounds.
authors.affiliation: The Hand Unit, Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, York Hospital, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE, UK.
authors.forename: Anis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dosani
authors.forename: Sameer K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Whittaker
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D004146:Dioxanes; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009757:Nylons; D011091:Polyesters; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013537:Sutures; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D004146:Dioxanes; D009757:Nylons; D011091:Polyesters; C095495:glycolide E-caprolactone copolymer