Columellar Scar Following Open Rhinoplasty Using Absorbable Suture Versus Nonabsorbable Suture: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: This meta-analysis seeks to determine whether a difference in long-term scar outcomes exists between absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures for closure of the columellar incision after open rhinoplasty. Review Methods: PubMed, OVID Medline, Conference Papers Index, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched using terms including "suture," "sutures," "absorbable," "columella," "columellar," "transcolumellar," "trans-columellar," "rhinoplasty," "septorhinoplasty," "scar," "scars," and "scarring," as well as associated MeSH terms. Results: Six studies with 435 patients were included for systematic review and meta-analysis, with five studies included in meta-analysis for patient-reported outcomes, and six studies included for physician-reported outcomes. There was no significant difference in scar appearance between the absorbable suture group and nonabsorbable group among both patient-reported and physician-reported outcomes. Conclusion: This meta-analysis of six studies meeting inclusion criteria does not demonstrate a significant difference in long-term scar appearance based on suture type after open rhinoplasty.