Systematic Reviews
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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
Core Tip

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.