Long-term cosmetic results comparing Proximate stapler with Dermalon skin closure

Sixteen patients having had an aorto-femoral bifurcation bypass performed were allocated at random for having their right inguinal incisions sutured with staplers and the left incisions with monofilament nylon sutures or vice versa. Long-term follow-up (11 months) demonstrated no differences in the appearance of the scars. The only advantage of the stapler is the short duration of skin-closure as compared to the sutured wounds. Since the long-term cosmetic results are equal and the cost price of the staplers are far higher than sutures we cannot recommend staplers for skin closure in routine operations.