Transcutaneous Nylon Suture Versus Transcutaneous Skin Stapling for Closure of Midline Incision in Elective Abdominal Surgery: Assessment of Surgical Site Infections and Cosmesis in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Facility

Background: Wound closure is as important as any other procedure done by the surgeon. Skin staples are an alternate method to regular sutures in offering an aesthetically acceptable scar in abdominal surgeries.

Objectives: To compare the clinical outcome of staples versus nylon in skin closure of elective midline incision in laparotomy patients in terms of superficial surgical site infection and scar cosmesis.

Materials and methods: This was a prospective comparative hospital-based study. Sixty -six patients who met the criteria were randomized into two equal groups. Group A had their incision closed with skin staples while Group B had their incision closed with nylon suture. The post operative outcomes of the wounds were documented.

Data collection and analysis: A proforma prepared for the purpose of this study was used to collect data. Data analysis was done using the SPSS 22 for windows SPSS Inc. Chicago Illinois. Calculations of mean and standard deviation were done. Associations between variables were tested for statistical significance. For all statistical test p<0.05 was significant. Results were displayed using tables.

Results: There was no superficial surgical site infection in both groups, however scar cosmesis was better in the group A with low mean POSAS total score than group B.

Conclusion: Scar cosmesis was close to normal in group A, with no superficial surgical site infection in elective midline laparotomy incision closure in both groups.