Systematic Reviews
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Surg. Dec 27, 2014; 6(12): 241-247
Published online Dec 27, 2014. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v6.i12.241
Systematic review of absorbable vs non-absorbable sutures used for the closure of surgical incisions
Muhammad S Sajid, Malcolm R McFall, Pauline A Whitehouse, Parv S Sains
Muhammad S Sajid, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, Washington Suite, North Wing, Worthing Hospital, BN11 2DH West Sussex, United Kingdom
Muhammad S Sajid, Malcolm R McFall, Pauline A Whitehouse, Parv S Sains, Department of General, Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery, Worthing Hospital, Worthing, BN11 2DH West Sussex, United Kingdom
Author contributions: All authors contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Mr. Muhammad S Sajid, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, Washington Suite, North Wing, Worthing Hospital, BN11 2DH West Sussex, United Kingdom. surgeon1wrh@hotmail.com
Telephone: +44-01903-205111 Fax: +44-01903-285010
Received: August 7, 2014
Revised: October 22, 2014
Accepted: October 31, 2014
Published online: December 27, 2014
Processing time: 139 Days and 18.8 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To report a systematic review of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the role of absorbable suture (AS) against non-AS (NAS) used for the closure of surgical incisions.

METHODS: RCTs investigating the use of AS vs NAS for the closure of surgical incisions were statistically analysed based upon the principles of meta-analysis and the summated outcomes were represented as OR.

RESULTS: The systematic search of medical literature yielded 10 RCTs on 1354 patients. Prevalence of wound infection (OR = 0.97; 95%CI: 0.56, 1.69; Z = 0.11; P = 0.92) and operative morbidity (P = 0.45) was comparable in both groups. Nonetheless, the use of AS lead to lower risk of wound break-down (OR = 0.12; 95%CI: 0.04, 0.39; Z = 3.52; P < 0.0004).

CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis of 10 RCTs demonstrates that the use of AS is similar to NAS for skin closure for surgical site infection and other operative morbidities. AS do not increase the risk of skin wound dehiscence, rather lead to a reduced risk of wound dehiscence compared to NAS.

Keywords: Skin closure; Surgical site infection; Wound dehiscence; Absorbable sutures; Non-absorbable suture

Core tip: Based upon the meta-analysis of 10 controlled trials, the absorbable sutures (AS) are similar to non-AS (NAS) for skin closure in cases of wound infection and other complications. AS do not increase the risk of skin wound dehiscence, rather leads to a reduced risk of wound break-down compared to NAS.