Randomised clinical trial of suture compared with adhesive strip for skin closure after HRT implant

To determine which method of skin closure was associated with less bleeding, 250 women were randomly allocated to have either a suture closure (3-0 Dexon II) or an adhesive strip closure (Steri-Strip) following subcutaneous insertion of hormone (HRT) implants. Data were collected via a tested questionnaire and analysed. Significantly, more women in the adhesive strip group recorded postprocedure bleeding (RR = 2.26; 95% CI 1.42-3.60) and considered the bleeding excessive (RR = 4.17; 95% CI 1.18-14.76) and unacceptable (RR = 12.52; 95% CI 1.63-96.19). Pain scores and symptoms of local infection were similar in both groups. Routine use of adhesive strips for implant skin incision closure is not recommended.