[Cesarean section, techniques and skin suture materials]

The aim of the study was to compare the outcome, complications and costs of three skin suture techniques after Caesarean section.

The study sample was 310 women who underwent caesarean section between 2003 and 2007. The sample was divided into three groups: an intradermal suture with non-reabsorbable thread was applied in 98; metallic clips were placed in 90; 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate (2-OCA) glue was used for wound closure in 112. The sutures were checked at 4 days and 2 months after the operation to determine cosmetic outcome, patient compliance, strength of incision closure, allergic reactions, suture infection, and total cost of each technique.

No substantial differences in strength of incision closure or cosmetic outcome between the techniques were found. Compliance was better in the group that received 2-OCA, while the total cost of suture alone was lower in the group that received the non-reabsorbable intradermal suture.

The results suggests that following Caesarean section according to Stark, skin suture with 2-OCA glue has the advantage of greater patient compliance, while intradermal thread suture is less costly with a cosmetic outcome comparable to that of the other two techniques.