Randomised Comparison of Nylon versus Stapler for Closure of Class I Surgical Skin Incisions

BACKGROUND: At present, each surgeon has a plethora of materials available to bring about closure of surgical skin incisions. Till date, many studies have been conducted to compare skin closure materials in varying categories. This study aims to compare nylon and staplers in terms of closure of Class I clean surgical wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized comparative study was conducted in Department of Surgery in a tertiary care hospital from May 2016 to June 2018 enrolling a total of 102 patients undergoing routine clean surgeries in the age group 15-70 years. Patients were randomized into two groups pre-operatively and were analyzed thereafter in terms of 3 parameters. Pain was documented on Day 1 and at suture removal, wound inflammation was documented in terms of redness, discharge and wound gaping and cosmesis was evaluated from both observers and patient’s perspective at 3 months and 6 months. Thereafter, statistical analysis was done by applying t-test and chi-square test to obtain respective p values. RESULTS: Wound complications and pain score were significantly higher in stapler group (p value less than0.05). In terms of observer cosmesis sutured wounds scored better however, both stapled and sutured scored equally in terms of satisfaction to the patient. CONCLUSION: Study findings favor suture over staplers in terms of pain, wound and cosmesis factors although, both stapled and sutured scored equally in terms of satisfaction to the patient.