Use of 5-0 Fast Absorbing Gut vs 6-0 Fast Absorbing Gut During Cutaneous Wound Closure on the Head and Neck: A Randomized Evaluator-Blinded Split-Wound Comparative Effectiveness Trial

Publication date: Available online 21 February 2019

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Author(s): Aunna Pourang, Milene K. Crispin, Ashley K. Clark, April W. Armstrong, Raja K. Sivamani, Daniel B. Eisen

Abstract

Background

Absorbable suture material (Fast Absorbing Gut (FG)) is often employed for patient convenience, however, the optimal diameter of FG sutures is debatable.

Objective

To determine whether the use of 6-0 FG during repair of linear cutaneous surgery wounds on the head and neck improves scar cosmesis compared to 5-0 FG.

Methods

This was a prospective, randomized, split-scar intervention in patients undergoing repair of linear cutaneous wounds on the head and neck. Three months post-surgery, the scar was measured via the Physician Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), a validated instrument.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in the sum of the POSAS component scores for 6-0 FG (12.03) compared to 5-0 FG (13.11), (p=0.26). Observer overall opinion was similar for both interventions, 2.49 for 6-0 FG versus 2.64 for 5-0 FG (p=0.54). There was no statistically significant difference in the number of complications in the 5-0 FG group (15) versus the 6-0 FG group (10), (p=0.40).

Limitations

Single-centered study with wounds limited to the head and neck in white individuals who were mostly male.

Conclusion

For linear repair of cutaneous wounds, 6-0 FG was not statistically different for cosmetic outcomes, scar width and complications than 5-0 FG.

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