Nylon Versus Chromic Gut Sutures for Minor Hand Surgery

University of Texas at Austin112 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to assess the relationship between overall satisfaction with treatment in a group of randomized patients undergoing elective hand surgery using either absorbable (4-0 Chromic) or non-absorbable (5-0 Nylon) sutures. The investigators will also assess factors associated with wound concerns, pain intensity, magnitude of limitations, and physical function within one month of surgery.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

112

Conditions

All Minor Hand Surgery Including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Trigger Finger Ganglion Cysts De Quervain Syndrome

Interventions

Absorbable Chromic gut suturesPROCEDURE

In this group interrupted simple or horizontal mattress skin sutures are used for wound closure per surgeon preference. Standardized wound care instructions will be given to all patients. Those who received absorbable Chromic sutures are treated recording to the standard protocol and they are advised that they can start to gently rub the scab and suture line to encourage the sutures to fall off starting 10-14 days postoperatively.

Non-absorbable Nylon suturesPROCEDURE

In this group interrupted simple or horizontal mattress skin sutures are used for wound closure per surgeon preference. Standardized wound care instructions will be given to all patients. Those who received Nylon sutures are treated recording to the standard protocol and sutures are removed after the usual time (10-14 days) of the received procedure.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 89 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * All patients undergoing common day-case elective hand surgery under local anesthesia, one of the following (initial) procedures: * Carpal tunnel release * Trigger finger release * Ganglion excision * Excisional biopsy * De Quervain release * Dupuytren fasciectomy * Any other minor hand surgery * Patients aged 18-89 * Able to provide informed consent * Able to understand English or Spanish to complete questionnaires * Patients who have an email-address or phone number (needed for follow-up) * UT Health Austin Musculoskeletal Institute, Austin Regional Clinic, Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin. * Available for follow-up contact after 4 weeks Exclusion Criteria: * Patients not able to give informed consent * Patients using corticosteroids * Patients with one of the following comorbidities: bleeding disorder, immunodeficiency, collagen vascular disease. * Patients known to be allergic to suture materials * Revision procedures