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Closure of Pfannenstiel skin incisions. Staples vs. subcuticular suture
G N Frishman1, T Schwartz, J W Hogan
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women & Infants' Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Objective:
To compare skin closure with staples and subcuticular suture.
Study Design:
Obstetric patients undergoing cesarean section with a Pfannenstiel incision were prospectively randomized to skin closure with staples or subcuticular suture. Pain and cosmesis were assessed postoperatively.
Results:
Patients reported significantly less pain following subcuticular closure at both the time of discharge (P < or = .01) and the postoperative visit (P < or = .002). Incisions closed with subcuticular suture were found to be more cosmetically attractive by both patients (P = .04) and physicians (P = .01) at the postoperative visit.
Conclusion:
Pfannenstiel skin incisions closed with subcuticular closure following cesarean section result in less postoperative discomfort and are more cosmetically appealing at the six-week postoperative visit as compared to incisions closed with staples.