STAPLES VS SUBCUTICULAR SUTURES FOR SKIN CLOSURE IN INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Inguinal hernia repair can be achieved by many techniques but skin closure still limited to only two methods; sutures and staples. In spite of that both have the same role in healing by approximation of skin edges; they differ in terms of cost, pain, cosmoses, wound complications,and time of wound closure.Two groups, each contain 50 patients were studied regarding inguinal hernia repair by using subcuticular suturing or staples for skin closure. The time of closure, cost, infection rate, pain at removal and scar acceptance were assessed and compared in the two groups.The mean time was shorter in staples group (8.77 min. Vs 2.35 min.) with a p-value <0.05.Stapler cost was significantly higher than sutures (12 USD VS 2 USD) and p<0.05. Infection rate was more with sutures than staples (8% VS 4%) however it was with no significant difference (p>0.05). Pain difference was significant at time of removal assessed by visual analog scale score which is mild with staples and moderate with sutures (p<0.05). No much difference in scare acceptance between the two groups with more than 90% good scar in both(p>0.05).In conclusion, staples are good alternatives to subcuticular sutures in closure of skin incision in inguinal hernia repair. They are associated with good cosmetic results, less pain at removal, less wound infection and shorter time of wound closure but there is a need to reduce their cost.Key words: Staples, Sutures, Skin closure, Wound complications