COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SKIN STAPLES AND CONVENTIONAL SUTURES FOR ABDOMINAL SKIN WOUND CLOSURES

Abstract

Introduction : The ideal abdominal wound closure provides strength and a barrier to infection. In addition, the closure should be efcient, performed without tension or ischemia, comfortable for the patient, and aesthetic. Present study aimed to compare skin staples with conventional suturing for abdominal skin closure. Material and Method: This comparative observational study was conducted among the patients coming to Department of General Surgery, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, undergoing elective abdominal surgery who were willing to participate in the study by giving informed and written consent. Patients were grouped based on type of skin closure done, group Aare patients with skin staples in elective abdominal surgery and group B are the patients with conventional suture method of skin closure in elective abdominal surgery. Both the group were assessed for the duration of skin closure, the outcome of wound assessed using ASEPSIS score on 3rd, 5th and 7th post-operative day and wound Cosmesis was assessed using Modied Hollander Cosmesis scale on 7th day, after 2 weeks, 6 weeks and on 3rd month of wound healing. All the statistical analysis were analysed using SPSS v21 operating on windows 10. Results: In our study total 120 patients undergoing elective abdominal surgeries were included with 60 patients in each group. The mean age and gender distribution between both groups was found to be similar with no signicant difference. On comparison of number of staples and number of sutures used, it was signicantly higher in staple group than suture group (p<0.05). On comparison of duration of closure it was signicantly lower in staple group than in suture group ( p<0.05). ASEPSIS score at different point of follow-up showed there is signicantly lower mean score among patients in staple group compared to suture group (p<0.05). On comparing wound score using Modied Hollander Cosmesis scale, the mean score was signicantly higher in staple group than in suture group (p< 0.05). The complications at different point of follow- up was also signicantly lower in staple group than suture group (p<0.05). The degree of patient satisfaction was also signicantly higher in stapler group than in suture group. Conclusion: The present study documented a signicant better outcome in patients who underwent skin closures with staples than with conventional sutures in view of duration of closure, ASESPSIS score, Modied Hollander Cosmesis score, complications and patient satisfaction.