Lifting and wound closure with barbed sutures

The advent of barbed sutures has been a novel and useful adjunct for the aesthetic plastic surgeon in properly selected patients. The deployment of a barbed suture minimizes the risks of cheese wiring and stress relaxation, facilitating the minimally invasive repositioning of soft tissue in the head and neck, as well as optimizing and enhancing traditionally long and potentially tedious procedures in body contouring. This article highlights the advances, advantages, and efficacy associated with the use of barbed sutures in lifting and wound closure.     

Comparison of clips versus sutures in orthopaedic wound closure

A prospective randomised trial was conducted to compare the use of skin clips versus interrupted nylon sutures in uncomplicated orthopaedic wound closure. Non-blinded wound assessment for complications and outcome (cosmesis) was performed on day 13 when the clips/sutures were removed. Average time for removal of each clip/suture was calculated for each wound. Also, an assessment of patient pain during removal was made using a patient-completed visual analogue scoring system (VAS). No statistically significant difference was found in wound healing and cosmesis between the clip and suture group at follow-up. Clip removal with the special clip remover was found to be quicker and less painful (p=0.001). There was good patient satisfaction with the use of skin clips over nylon sutures. We recommend the use of skin clips, using an assistant to evert the wound edges, as an efficient form of wound closure in most uncomplicated orthopaedic procedures.     

Abdominal wound closure comparing the proximate stapler with sutures

Proximate staple closure of transverse and vertical abdominal wounds is compared with suture closure in a prospective, blind, randomized trial. Fifty-seven wounds were randomly allocated to 3/0 Prolene or Proximate staple closure. Each wound was photographed after removal of staples or sutures and again in the sixth postoperative week. The photographic slides were independently assessed by eight observers, who graded the cosmetic result of each wound on a scale from 1 to 10. The cosmetic score in transverse wounds closed with sub-cuticular sutures was better than with staples. Cosmetic scores in vertical wounds were almost equal for staples and sutures. Staple closure was faster than suture closure. Proximate staple closure is considered a suitable and faster method for vertical abdominal wounds.     

Economic comparison of methods of wound closure: wound closure strips vs. sutures and wound adhesives

Our objective was to review and assess the treatment of low-tension wounds and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of wound closure methods. We used a health economic model to estimate cost/closure of adhesive wound closure strips, tissue adhesives and sutures. The model incorporated cost-driving variables: application time, costs and the likelihood and costs of dehiscence and infection. The model was populated with variable estimates derived from the literature. Cost estimates and cosmetic results were compared. Parameter values were estimated using national healthcare and labour statistics. Sensitivity analyses were used to verify the results. Our analysis suggests that adhesive wound closure strips had the lowest average cost per laceration ($7.54), the lowest cost per infected laceration ($53.40) and the lowest cost per laceration with dehiscence ($25.40). The costs for sutures were $24.11, $69.91 and $41.91, respectively; the costs for tissue adhesives were $28.77, $74.68 and $46.68, respectively. The cosmetic outcome for all three treatments was equivalent. We conclude adhesive wound closure strips were both a cost-saving and a cost-effective alternative to sutures and tissue adhesives in the closure of low-tension lacerations.     

Polyglycolic acid sutures in genitourinary surgery

One hundred ten patients undergoing genitourinary surgery were sutured with PGA (polyglycolic acid) sutures. Seventy-one of these were also sutured with plain or chromic catgut, and/or nylon. There were no suture failures and no signs of wound breakdown. PGA sutures handled well, had minimal tissue reaction, and showed sufficient strength and knot security even in the presence of free-flowing urine. There was no superiority shown by the control sutures, and there appears to be no reason why PGA sutures should not be used in the urinary tract.     

Negative side-effects of retention sutures for abdominal wound closure. A prospective randomised study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of retention sutures on the postoperative course of patients after major abdominal operations. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Germany. SUBJECTS: 95 patients who were at increased risk of wound failure after major abdominal operations. INTERVENTION: Conventional mass closure either with (n = 44) or without (n = 51) reinforcement by wire retention sutures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain intensity on postoperative days 3, 6, 9, and 12, patients' acceptance, retention-suture-related morbidity, general morbidity. RESULTS: Postoperative pain was overall more severe with retention sutures. On day 6, 31/49 control patients but only 13/41 patients with retention sutures were pain-free (p = 0.003, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.51). Twelve of 44 patients with retention sutures developed local complications of the sutures, and 21 of the 44 had to have them removed prematurely, in most cases because of intolerable pain. CONCLUSIONS: Retention sutures used to close abdominal wounds cause inconvenience, pain, and specific morbidity.     

A comparison of parallel versus perpendicular placement of retention sutures in abdominal wound closure

A new technique for placement of retention sutures is described. Twenty-five rats underwent midline laparotomy incision. The control group was closed with traditional placement of through-and-through retention sutures placed in a perpendicular direction to the wound. The experimental group was closed with retention sutures placed in a parallel direction to the wound as described below. Wound bursting strength was significantly (P less than 0.001) greater at one to five days in the experimental group compared with the control animals. In addition, inflammatory reaction and pressure necrosis were greater in the control group. It appears that parallel placement of sutures has less of a tendency to cut through tissue when subjected to the distracting forces on a midline wound.     

Antifibrinolytic additives to fibrin glue for laparoscopic wound closure in urinary tract.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fibrinolytic activity of urine may rapidly degrade fibrin glue used in the urinary tract, thereby limiting tissue adhesion. The goals of this study were to verify the ability of antifibrinolytic agents to delay the degradation of fibrin glue in the urinary tract and to assess the results of this delay on subsequent wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 25 domestic pigs, a 3.5-cm incision in the urinary bladder was left open (N = 6) or closed laparoscopically with fibrin glue alone (N = 6), fibrin glue containing aprotinin 5000 KIU/mL (N = 6), or fibrin glue containing aprotinin 2500 KIU/mL with (N = 4) or without (N = 3) aminocaproic acid 12.5 mg/mL. At harvest 7 days later, the bladder was tested for leakage. Histologic features were scored by a pathologist blinded to the closure method. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups in the amount of leakage at harvest. Significant fibrin glue material in the wound was noted more often in the pigs treated with fibrin glue plus aprotinin (7 of 13) than in the fibrin glue-only group (0 of 6; P = 0.04). The presence of significant fibrin material in the wound correlated well with absence of granulation tissue (P < 0.001), such that granulation tissue bridging the wound edges was found more often in the fibrin glue-only group (6 of 6) than in the groups treated with fibrin glue plus aprotinin (4 of 13; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although aprotinin +/- aminocaproic acid did delay the degradation of fibrin glue used to close a bladder wound, it was associated with inhibition of granulation tissue in the glued wound. These findings suggest that aprotinin alone and aprotinin plus aminocaproic acid are not useful additives to fibrin glue used for wound closure in the urinary tract.     

Results of a prospective randomised study comparing a non-invasive surgical zipper versus intracutaneous sutures for wound closure

A prospective randomised study was undertaken to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of a non-invasive surgical zipper (Medizip) vs intracutaneous sutures skin closure in orthopaedic surgery. The study group consisted of 120 consecutive patients, 45 men and 75 women with a mean age of 47 years. The Medizip was used in 20 surgical knee wounds, 20 hip wounds and 20 orthopaedic spine wounds. The same number of patients received intracutaneous sutures. Handling, wound healing and scar formation on day 1, at 2 weeks and 6 weeks were evaluated. The average time for wound closure with the zipper was 2 min and 9.4 min when the wound was closed with intracutaneous sutures (p = 0 .01). Patients were positive in their assessment of the wound healing progress and results; they found the skin closure device agreeable to wear. The scar result was rated very good in 82% (n = 4 9) of the zipper group, and 85% (n = 5 1) in the intracutaneous group (p = 0 .67). Based on the results obtained, the non-invasive skin closure system Medizip represents a safe option in the spectrum of surgical wound treatment.     

Trauma to the genitourinary tract

Trauma to the genitourinary tract often occurs in association with other injuries. Initial assessment of the trauma patient should include securing the airway, controlling external bleeding and resuscitation of shock, as required. In many cases, physical examination is carried out during the stabilization of the patient. The kidney is the most commonly involved genitourinary organ. Iatrogenic injuries are often seen in high-volume surgical centres performing complex abdominal surgery. Appropriate radiological investigation is necessary to stratify patients for urgent surgical intervention or conservative measures. Assessment and treatment options are discussed in the following article.     

Abdominal wound closure: a trial of nylon, polyglycolic acid and steel sutures.

Failures after abdominal wound closure (early dehiscences and late incisional hernias) are due to breakage of sutures, slippage of knots or tearing out of sutures from the tissues. The suture-holding capacity of the entire thickness of muscle and aponeurosis is nearly twice that of the anterior rectus sheath, and deep bites (1-0 cm from the cut edges) are nearly twice as secure as bites of 0-5 cm. In a random controlled clinical trial of 357 major laparotomies, closure with either layered monofilament nylon or mass polyglycolic acid or steel resulted in 2 burst abdomens (0-56%), 10 incisional hernias due to suture failure (3-4%) and 8 incisional hernias caused by deep sepsis (2-7%). There were no statistically significant differences among the treatment groups, but 1 patient in the nylon and 3 in the steel groups had persistent sinuses until their sutures were removed.     

Trauma to the genitourinary tract

377 cases of injuries to genitourinary organs, in 41% with renal lesion, were studied. Early and late complications were most common when the renal damage had been of medium severity and treated conservatively. In severe lesions to kidneys, particularly to solitary ones, the organs were saved by surgery, as described by Scott. In the cases of urinary bladder rupture the mortality rate was 16%. Septicaemia was she most frequent cause of death. In cases of urethral disruption after primary suture the results were good and the duration of treatment was short, in cases of postoperative stricture, however, the conditions for the next surgical intervention were much more favourable. In about 50% of the case of urethral disruption treated surgically and in nearly every case with simultaneous pelvic bone fracture subsequent impotentia coeundi and generadi occurred. The denuded penis was covered with a free skin graft. It healed quickly, and the cosmetic result was good. In cases with torsion of the testicular pedicle the organ was preserved by early surgical turning-back. An attempt to preserve the testicle should be made even when the torsion had persisted several days.