Laser Doppler flowmetry in evaluation of cutaneous wound blood flow using various suturing techniques

Measurements of blood flow on either sides of abdominal incisions and of uninjured control skin in 63 patients with three kinds of suturing techniques (clips in 21 patients, mattress in 21 patients, and subcuticular suture in 21 patients) on the 1st and 5th postoperative day were made, using an infrared laser Doppler flowmeter. There was a significantly higher flow on the 1st versus the 5th postoperative day. There is statistically higher blood flow in wounds sutured with subcuticular sutures in comparison with the two other groups. The method may allow the relationship of blood flow to wound healing to be evaluated.