Closure of round cutaneous defects progressively with the purse string suture technique
Fatih Küçükdurmaz1, Ismail Agir2, Seyitali Gümüstas2
1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, 34093 Istanbul, Turkey.
The Pan African Medical Journal
|November 25, 2015
Summary
The subcuticular purse-string suture technique rapidly heals circular skin defects in rats by gradually tightening the wound. This method offers a faster alternative to secondary healing for large wounds.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Surgical Techniques
- Wound Healing
Background:
- Various closure techniques exist for cutaneous surgeons.
- The purse-string suture is effective for round skin defects.
- This study investigates a specific subcuticular purse-string suture technique.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a subcuticular purse-string suture technique for closing circular skin defects.
- To compare the healing time of purse-string sutured defects with secondary healing.
- To assess the potential of this technique to expand skin tissue.
Main Methods:
- A 4 cm full-thickness circular skin defect was created on rat dorsum.
- Group 1: Subcuticular purse-string suture with daily 1 cm advancement of a sliding arthroscopic knot.
- Group 2: Open wound with daily dressing; defect diameters measured daily in both groups.
Main Results:
- Complete closure of skin defects in Group 1 after 15 days.
- Group 2 defects reduced but retained a mean 1.5 cm diameter.
- The purse-string suture technique demonstrated significantly faster closure.
Conclusions:
- Gradual tightening of circular wounds using purse-string sutures accelerates healing time.
- This technique can expand skin tissue without requiring tissue expanders.
- Subcuticular purse-string sutures offer an effective method for managing large circular defects.
