| February 2013 · Vol. 25, No. 2 EXAMINING THE EVIDENCE
Which skin closure technique
better reduces the risk of
cesarean wound complications:
surgical staples or
subcuticular suture?
Suture, according to this randomized, controlled trial of 398 women. At the time
of hospital discharge, the rate of the primary outcome of wound disruption or infection was 7.1% for staples and 0.5% for suture (P <.001; relative risk [RR], 14.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9–106). Among the 350 women who completed follow-up at 4 to 6 weeks, the rate of the primary outcome was 14.5% for staples and 5.9% for suture (P = .008; RR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2–5.0). Staples were removed on postoperative day 3 or 4 for low transverse incisions and on days
7 to 10 for vertical incisions.
Figueroa D, Jauk VC, Szychowski JM, et al. Surgical staples compared with subcuticular suture for skin closure after cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;121(1):33–38. EXPERT COMMENTARY
Dhanya Mackeen, MD, MPHAssociate, Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Women’s Health Services, Geisinger Health System, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Vincenzo Berghella, MDProfessor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The two most commonly utilized methods of skin closure after cesarean delivery are nonabsorbable metal staples and absorbable suture.1 A number of investigators have explored these methods of closure in regard to wound complications, pain perception, patient satisfaction, and physician assessment of cosmesis.2 CLICK HERE to read more |
