Comparative study between skin staples and conventional sutures for skin closure in elective abdominal surgery

Bidyut Chandra Debnath; Ferdous Alam; M. Aminul Islam Joarder; Syeda Mehbuba Joty; Hasnat Zaman Zim; Ashok Kumar Sarker; Mahbuba Akter; Tarin Binta Zaman

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20260946

Authors

Bidyut Chandra Debnath Department of General Surgery, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ferdous Alam Department of General Surgery, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
M. Aminul Islam Joarder Department of General Surgery, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Syeda Mehbuba Joty Department of General Surgery, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Hasnat Zaman Zim Department of General Surgery, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ashok Kumar Sarker Department of General Surgery, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mahbuba Akter Department of Surgery, Keraniganj Upazila Health Complex, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tarin Binta Zaman Department of General Surgery, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20260946

Keywords:

Skin closure, Staplers, Sutures, Elective surgery

Abstract

Background: Skin closure is a crucial step in surgical procedures, as it directly affects wound healing, postoperative infection risk, and the aesthetic quality of the incision. The purpose of the study is to compare skin staples and conventional sutures for skin closure in elective abdominal surgery with respect to closure time, postoperative outcomes, and cosmetic results.

Methods: This prospective comparative study at the Department of General Surgery, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh (March 2022–February 2023) included 60 elective abdominal surgery patients (30 staples, 30 sutures). Primary outcome was skin closure time; secondary outcomes were surgical site infection, pain, hospital stay, and cosmetic results. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests (p<0.05).

Results: Sixty patients (30 per group) showed comparable baseline characteristics (p>0.05). Skin closure time was significantly shorter with staples than sutures (2.4±0.7 versus 9.8±2.5 minutes; p<0.001). Surgical site infection, postoperative pain, and hospital stay were similar between groups (p>0.05). Cosmetic outcome was significantly better with sutures (73.3% versus 40.0%; p=0.030).

Conclusions: Skin staples offer faster skin closure, whereas conventional sutures provide better cosmetic outcomes, with no significant difference in postoperative complications.

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