Four Quadrant-Embedded Purse-String Closure for Defects of Benign Skin Tumors Post Circular Excision

Skin wounds after elliptical removal of benign tumors, are conventially sutured linearly for closure and often result in longer and undesirable scars. We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of four quadrant embedded intradermal purse-string suture closure technique for round defects in order to obtain satisfactory cosmetic outcomes and limited scar.

We analysed the features of 143 patients for whom a total of 208 four quadrant embedded purse string sutures were used to completely close their postoperative surgical defects. The location and histopathological types of the tumors removed were noted. Tumors were located in the cervicofacial region, thoracic region, back, lower and upper extremities. The patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) questionairre was utilized to evaluate objective results of the ultimate scar.

The defects of the lesions after excision were closed using intradermal four quadrant buried purse-string suture. The wounds showed good final healing without obvious adverse events postoperatively. Infection occurred only in three patients. The final cosmetic appearance of the healed wounds was satisfying as POSAS scores were 17.74 for patient scar assesment scale (PSAS) and 15.3 for observer scar assessment scale (OSAS).

Four quadrant embedded purse string technique is a simple and useful method to close skin defects after circular resection of lesions. It provides minimal scarring and remarkable patient satisfaction.