Intradermal suture effect using polypropylene materials on post-operative scar tissue in cases of lower extremities closed fracture cases

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertrophic scarring is the most common complication in postoperative wounds. One of the preventive measures for scarring is by adding intradermal sutures when closing the surgical wound. This study aims to prove that the addition of intradermal sutures using polypropylene materials can reduce the complications of scarring in postoperative wounds on lower extremities closed fracture cases under internal fixation procedure.Method: Experimental studies using Randomized Controlled Trial Post Test Only Design were carried out in patients with lower extremity fractures in Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang. The sample was chosen by proportional sampling which was the group given the treatment as well as the control group (n = 36). The variable measured was the clinical appearance of scar tissue formed 6 months after surgery using the Vancouver Scar Scale.Result: The results showed that the addition of intradermal sutures using polypropylene materials had a significant effect on the formation of postoperative scar tissue. The total Vancouver Scar Scale score has a value of p = 0.000 (α = 5%) for Mann Whitney test.Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is that the addition of intradermal sutures using polypropylene threads in cases of closed fractures with internal fixation can reduce the appearance of postoperative scar tissue.