Alternative Craniotomy Scalp Closure Method for Reduction of Surgical Site Infections and Wound Dehiscence

Surgical site infection (SSI) after cranial surgery is a serious complication with high morbidity and mortality. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between an alternative scalp closure technique for craniotomy after tumor resection and SSIs.

The authors retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent craniotomy for tumor resection between January 1, 2020, and June 10, 2023. After clinical and demographic data were collected, patients were dichotomized by suture closure technique, and SSI and wound dehiscence incidence were evaluated.

A total of 285 patients were identified for study inclusion, with 58 in the experimental cohort. The experimental cohort had higher rates of preoperative chemotherapy, current smoking, low albumin, and revision procedures. There were no significant differences in treatment outcomes (wound washout, SSI, dehiscence, or oversewing) individually or collectively. Multivariate models did not demonstrate any differences.

Although the present study did not statistically demonstrate an advantage to this novel closure technique, patients within the experimental group had a greater number of risk factors for infection, with no significant differences between groups for wound dehiscence, washout, or SSI. This is likely due to low adverse events, nonrandomization, and group heterogeneity. Future studies are needed to fully determine the significance of suture technique on cranial SSI.