Set-back Suture Versus Traditional Vertical Mattress Suture

University of California, Davis47 enrolled

Overview

The investigators hope to compare two different methods of closing skin wounds using sutures. One of these methods (the set-back technique) was recently described in 2010 and has been reported to be technically easier and reduces the chance of spitting sutures (deep sutures that are pushed to the surface of the skin as the wound heals). The other method (the vertical mattress technique) has been used for many years with good results. However, no controlled studies have been performed to clearly demonstrate a difference between the two methods. We hope to find differences in the height of the wound edges immediately after surgery(5 minutes following the procedure) as well as the appearance of the scar and symptoms associated with the scar 3 months after surgery.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Basal Cell Carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma Melanoma

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Elliptical surgical wound that needs to be closed with a layered closure * Wound 3 cm in length or longer Exclusion Criteria: * Incarceration * Active pregnancy * Less than 18 years of age * Unable to give informed consent * Non-English or Dutch speaking (the scar assessment scale described below has only been validated in the English and Dutch languages) * Wound closure projected to be less than 3 cm in length * Skin less than 3 mm in thickness (dermis and epidermis combined)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Mean of sum of 2 blinded reviewers Physician Observer Assessment scores

Compare the functional and cosmetic outcomes of the two sutured halves of each scar at 3 months follow-up as follows: a. Use a previously validated scar assessment scale called the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, specifically the averaged sum of the total score of 2 blinded observers.

Time frame: 3 months

Scar width

Width of scar in millimeters for each side of scar measured 1 cm from the midline.

Time frame: 3 months

Secondary Outcomes

Height of scar immediately following wound closure

Height of each side of the wound will be measured 1 cm from the midpoint of the wound in millimeters

Time frame: 5 minutes