Facial wound closure in children using a 7-0 absorbable suture dressing
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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Surgical Correction for Pediatric Epiblepharon and Trichiasis
Published on: July 8, 2025
Javier A Couto1, Jorie E Sullivan, Arin K Greene
1From the Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Insights
A new facial wound closure method using absorbable sutures, glue, and tape is effective for children. This approach minimizes complications and improves scar appearance, eliminating the need for suture removal.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Plastic Surgery
- Dermatologic Surgery
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Pediatric facial wound management presents unique challenges due to difficulties with suture removal and patient compliance.
- Children often struggle to protect suture lines postoperatively, increasing complication risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a specific facial wound closure regimen in pediatric patients.
- To determine if this method optimizes outcomes, including scar appearance and complication rates.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 261 children (12 years or younger) who underwent facial skin lesion resection.
- Wound closure involved 7-0 absorbable sutures, surgical glue, and tape.
- Analysis of predictive variables (age, lesion type/size/location) and outcome measures (infection, dehiscence, scar quality).
Main Results:
- The study included 261 pediatric patients with a mean age of 4.0 years.
- Commonly excised lesions included nevi, cysts, and vascular anomalies.
- A low complication rate of 0.8% (1 infection, 1 dehiscence) was observed, with 1.5% experiencing unfavorable scar widening.
Conclusions:
- A facial wound closure regimen combining absorbable sutures, glue, and tape yields excellent outcomes in pediatric patients.
- This method simplifies post-operative care by eliminating the need for suture removal.
- The technique is associated with rare complications and superior scar aesthetics.
Background:
Management of pediatric facial wounds is more challenging compared to adults. Suture removal is difficult, and children are less likely to protect the suture line postoperatively. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a facial wound closure regimen designed to ensure the best possible outcome in the pediatric population.
Methods:
Children 12 years or younger who had a skin lesion resected from the face between 2007 and 2013 were investigated. Patients who had their wound closed using 7-0 absorbable suture, glue, and tape were studied. Predictive variables included patient age, indication for the procedure, size of the excised lesion, and location of the repair. Outcome measures were infection, wound dehiscence, and scar appearance.
Results:
Two-hundred sixty-one children were included (151 girls, 110 boys). The mean (SD) age was 4.0 years (3.3 y). Types of lesions that were excised were nevus (24.9%), cyst (22.2%), vascular anomaly (19.5%), pilomatrixoma (13.8%), accessory tragus (11.9%), scar (4.6%), or other (3.1%). The mean (SD) area of the resected specimen was 2.2 cm(2) (3.9 cm(2)). The complication rate was 0.8% (infection, n = 1; dehiscence, n = 1). Four patients had an unfavorable appearing scar that widened (1.5%).
Discussion:
A facial wound closure regimen using small absorbable sutures, glue, and tape optimizes outcomes in the pediatric population. Suture removal is not required, complications are rare, and scar appearance is excellent.
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