Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2025
Murine Model of Wound Healing
Published on: May 28, 2013
Evaluation of microMend wound closure device in repairing skin lacerations
Tarek Nizami1, Francesca Beaudoin2, Selim Suner2
1Emergency Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Background:
microMend, a novel microstaple skin closure device, may be able to close simple lacerations. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of using microMend to close these wounds in the ED.
Methods:
This was an open-label, single-arm clinical study conducted at two EDs within a large urban academic medical centre. Wounds closed with microMend underwent assessments performed at days 0, 7, 30 and 90. Photographs of treated wounds were rated by two plastic surgeons using a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and a wound evaluation scale (WES), which has a best possible score of 6. Participants rated pain during application and both participants and providers rated their satisfaction with the device.
Results:
Thirty-one participants were enrolled in the study: 48% were female and the mean age of participants was 45.6 (95% CI 39.1 to 52.1). The mean wound length was 2.35 cm (95% CI 1.77 to 2.92), with a range of 1-10 cm. Mean VAS and WES scores at day 90 as evaluated by two plastic surgeons were 84.1 mm (95% CI 80.2 to 87.9) and 4.91 (95% CI 4.54 to 5.29), respectively. The mean pain score with application of the devices was 7.28 mm (95% CI 2.88 to 11.68) on a scale of 0-100 mm using VAS. Local anaesthesia was used in 9 patients (29%, 95% CI 20.7 to 37.3) of participants (of whom 5 required deep sutures). Ninety per cent (90%) of participants rated their overall assessment of the device as excellent (74%) or good (16%) at day 90. There were no serious adverse events in any participants in the study.
Conclusion:
microMend appears to be an acceptable alternative for closing skin lacerations in the ED, providing good cosmetic results, with high levels of satisfaction by patients and providers. Randomised trials are needed to compare microMend with other wound closure products.
Trial Registration Number:
NCT03830515.
Insights
microMend, a microstaple device, shows promise for closing simple lacerations in the emergency department (ED). Patients and providers reported high satisfaction, with good cosmetic outcomes, suggesting it as a viable alternative wound closure method.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Wound Care
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Simple lacerations are common in emergency departments (EDs).
- Novel wound closure devices aim to improve patient outcomes and provider efficiency.
- microMend is a microstaple device for skin closure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of using microMend for simple laceration closure in the ED.
- To assess cosmetic results and patient/provider satisfaction with microMend.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, single-arm study was conducted in two EDs.
- Thirty-one participants with simple lacerations were enrolled.
- Wound assessments included visual analogue scale (VAS) and wound evaluation scale (WES) by plastic surgeons, alongside pain and satisfaction ratings.
Main Results:
- Mean VAS and WES scores at 90 days indicated good cosmetic results (84.1 mm and 4.91, respectively).
- Mean pain score during application was 7.28 mm (VAS, 0-100 mm).
- 90% of participants rated the device as excellent or good; no serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusions:
- microMend is an acceptable alternative for ED laceration closure, offering good cosmetic results and high satisfaction.
- Further randomized trials are recommended to compare microMend with other wound closure methods.
