Skin Cancer Blog

How does suturing technique affect cosmetic outcomes after facial surgery? Recent research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology sought to compare the cosmetic results of simple interrupted sutures versus running subcuticular sutures in facial surgery.

In a controlled trial, adults receiving dermatologic surgery on the face (for conditions such as skin cancer) were randomised to receive either simple interrupted sutures (73 patients) or running subcuticular sutures (69 patients).

After one year, both suturing techniques resulted in comparable cosmetic outcomes, suggesting that neither simple interrupted sutures nor running subcuticular sutures result in a better aesthetic appearance long-term after facial surgery.

However, the study also found that running subcuticular sutures were more often associated with hyper- or hypoesthesia as a negative side-effect.

Read more latest research on skin cancer surgery.

 

Source:
Liu, X. et al. (July 17, 2017.) Aesthetic outcome and complications of simple interrupted versus running subcuticular sutures in facial surgery: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2017.04.1128

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