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Study: Adhesive strips did not improve scar appearance in sutured wounds

The addition of adhesive strips did significantly improve the appearance of scars in wounds treated with buried interrupted subcuticular suturing, according to the results of a recently published study.

Researchers conducted a prospective, randomized split-wound intervention between Nov. 14, 2013, and May 16, 2014, in 48 patients who had cutaneous surgical procedures performed at an outpatient dermatology clinic at the University of California, Davis. Patients were at least 18 years of age and had postoperative defects of at least 3 cm as the result of Mohs micrographic surgery (73%) or surgical excision (27%). Buried subcuticular sutures were applied to half of each wound, whereas the other half was treated with the sutures plus overlying adhesive strips.

Wounds were evaluated at 3 months’ follow-up by 45 patients and two masked observers using the Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).

The masked reviewers did not report a significant difference in mean POSAS scores for vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, relief, pliability, surface area or overall opinion between the side that received a combination of adhesive strips and buried interrupted subcuticular suturing (12.3) and the suture-side only (12.9), according to the researchers. Additionally, patients did not report a significant difference in mean POSAS scores between the combination closure side (14.0) and sutures-only side (14.7) of the scars for pain, itching, color, stiffness, thickness, irregularity and overall opinion. The mean scar width on both treatments sides was 1.1 mm at 3 months.

No statistically significant differences in adverse events were observed between the two groups, with one cause of wound dehiscence at the site using adhesive strips and two cases in the sites not using the adhesive strips.

The researchers concluded their findings did not support the use of adhesive strips for the improvement of cosmetic outcomes or the reduction of scar width. – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.