Comparison of Skin Staples and Standard Sutures for Closing Incisions After Head and Neck Cancer Surgery: A Double-Blind, Randomized and Prospective Study.

Abstract

To investigate the merits and demerits of stapled skin closure when compared to conventional sutures in head and neck cancer surgery. A total of 80 patients (40 patients each in control and study group) were enrolled. The patients underwent closure of incision wounds following head and neck cancer surgical procedures. Skin incisions were closed with sutures using 3-0 silk in control group and with stainless steel staples in study group. Both the groups were compared for speed of closure, cost effectiveness, pain on removal, patient comfort, aesthetic outcome on day of removal, 15 and 30days after day of removal and complications. The mean incision length in control group was 54±16.3cm while in study group was 53.7±15.4cm which was statistically not significant (P=0.95). The mean time of closure in control group was 34.2±12min while in study group was 3.3±1.2min which was statistically highly significant (P<0.001). The mean cost of material for skin closure in control group was Rs. 270.0±46.4 and in study group was Rs. 517.5±135.7 which was also statistically highly significant (P<0.001). It was concluded that skin staples are better alternatives to conventional sutures in head and neck cancer surgery as they offer ten times faster wound closure, cost effectiveness, and similar results to sutures in terms of patient comfort, aesthetic outcome and complication rate.