Special Topic·Treatment of Wound and Scar
Technique and experience of wound closure with barbed sutures in abdominoplasty
Xu Boyang, Li Shangshan, Liu Chunjun
Published 2023-06-25
Cite as Chin J Plast Surg, 2023, 39(6): 596-601. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn114453-20220629-00197
Abstract
ObjectiveTo introduce the efficacy and surgical experience of barbed sutures in wound closure of abdominoplasty.
MethodsA prospective study of patients who underwent abdominoplasty in Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College from August to December 2021 was carried out. Barbed sutures and corresponding techniques were used for wound closure. These patients were included in the study group. Also, patients who underwent abdominoplasty from January to Jule 2021 and did not use barbed sutures were retrospectively included in the control group. Baseline data, surgical details, and follow-up records were reviewed and collected for statistical analysis. Normal distribution measurement data were expressed as Mean±SD, and independent sample t-test was used for comparison between the two groups. Count data were expressed as cases (%) and analyzed by Chi-square test or Fisher exact test.
ResultsTwenty female patients aged 31-51 years old with body mass index (BMI) of (23.2±2.5) kg/m2 were included in the study group, followed up for 6-8 months. The control group included 18 female patients, aged 32-55 years old, with BMI of (23.9±3.7) kg/m2, and were followed up for 6-12 months. The abdominoplasty incision length of the study group was (36.5±4.5) cm and that of the control group was (35.0±3.4) cm, and there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P>0.05). The closure time of the study group was (51±7) min, significantly shorter than that of the control group [(98±15) min](P<0.01). In the study group, 2 patients [10.0%(2/20)] had delayed wound healing caused by incision fat liquefaction. In the control group, delayed wound healing occurred in three patients (3/18), which was caused by incision fat liquefaction (1 case) and suture extrusion (2 cases). There was no significant difference in postoperative wound complication rates between the two groups (P>0.05). The Vancouver scar scale at three-month follow-up was scored (5.9±1.3) in the study group, (5.6±1.2) in the control group, with no significant difference (P>0.05). The follow-up visits observed no abdominal wall bulge, hernia, or hypertrophic scar. All patients reported satisfying aesthetic outcomes.
ConclusionBarbed sutures significantly shorten the wound closure time in abdominoplasty. The described closure technique is safe and beneficial for efficiency.
Key words:
Abdominoplasty; Suture techniques; Barbed sutures
Contributor Information
Xu Boyang
Department of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100144, China
Li Shangshan
Department of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100144, China
Liu Chunjun
Department of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100144, China
±s表示，2组间比较采用独立样本t检验；计数资料以例数(%)表示，采用卡方检验或Fisher精确概率检验进行分析。
