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Comparison of Subcuticular Suture Versus Surgical Staples for Closure of Pfannenstiel Skin Incisions

This study is currently recruiting participants.
Study NCT00186732.   Last updated on June 11, 2007.   Information provided by St. Joseph's Healthcare

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Descriptive Information Fields
Brief Title  Comparison of Subcuticular Suture Versus Surgical Staples for Closure of Pfannenstiel Skin Incisions
Official Title  Pfannenstiel Incision Closure: Subcuticular Suture Versus Surgical Staples
Brief Summary

This study compares methods of closure for Pfannenstiel incisions commonly used during gynecological and obstetrical surgery. Patients are assigned to closure by either surgical staples or a buried suture. Information is collected on the day of surgery, post-operative day two and at the six-week follow up visit. The amount of pain and cosmetic result are compared. Infection rates will also be monitored for the two groups.

The study hypothesis is as follows: subcuticular (buried) sutures as compared to surgical staples lead to decreased post-operative pain and improved cosmetic result. Infection rates are similar for both groups.

Detailed Description

There is little evidence in the literature to guide the choice of closure material for Pfannenstiel laparotomy. Currently this decision is based primarily on physician preference. Physicians differ greatly in their view on which is better. This is based on personal habit and experience and not on scientific evidence. Specifically in the field of obstetrics and gynecology there has only been one randomized trial of approximately 60 patients undergoing cesarean section comparing subcuticular suture vs surgical staples for closure of their Pfannenstiel skin incisions (Frishman et al., 1997). This study showed that Pfannenstiel skin incisions closed with subcuticular closure following cesarean section result in less postoperative pain and are more cosmetically appealing as compared to incisions closed with staples.

This randomized controlled study will compare closure of Pfannenstiel incisions using either subcuticular absorbable suture or surgical staples. It will examine two separate populations – those undergoing cesarean section and those undergoing gynecological surgery such as hysterectomy. These patient groups will be analyzed separately as their demographic characteristics tend to be quite different. The primary outcome will be postoperative pain. Cosmetic result will be a secondary outcome. Cosmesis will be rated both by the patient and the physician. Infection rates are also of great interest although it is unlikely that this study will achieve adequate power to show a statistically significant difference in results. Other outcomes of interest include overall patient satisfaction, total operating room time and length of hospital stay. Patient’s body mass index will also be recorded and analyzed to determine whether it affects results in both intervention groups.

There will be a minimum of 144 patients total in the cesarean section group and 144 patients total in the gynecological surgery group – 72 randomized to staples and 72 randomized to subcuticular suture for each group. Thus the entire study will involve approximately 288 patients.

Study Phase
Study Type  Interventional
Study Design  Treatment, Randomized, Open Label, Active Control, Parallel Assignment, Efficacy Study
Primary Outcome Measure  Pain
Secondary Outcome Measure  Cosmesis
Infection rates
Length of stay OR time
Overall patient satisfaction
Condition  Pain, Postoperative
Gynecologic Surgical Procedures
Obstetric Surgical Procedures
Intervention  Procedure: Subcuticular Suture
Procedure: Surgical Staples
MEDLINE PMIDs
Links
Recruitment Information Fields
Recruitment Status  Recruiting
Enrollment  288
Start Date  July 2005
Completion Date November 2006
Eligibility Criteria 

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Undergoing gynecological or obstetrical surgery
  • Pfannenstiel skin incision
Gender Female
Ages
Accepts Healthy Volunteers No
Contacts ††
Contact: Cara Donnery, M.D         cara.donnery@learnlink.mcmaster.ca    
Contact: Richard Persadie, M.D.     (905) 522-1155 ext 6041     richardpersadie@hotmail.com    
Location Countries  Canada
Administrative Information Fields
NCT ID  NCT00186732
Organization ID 05-2484
Secondary IDs ††
Study Sponsor  St. Joseph's Healthcare
Collaborators ††
Investigators 
Principal Investigator:     Cara A Donnery, MD     McMaster University Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident    
Principal Investigator:     Richard Persadie, MD     Staff Doctor: St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton    
Information Provided By St. Joseph's Healthcare
Verification Date September 2005
First Received Date  September 12, 2005
Last Updated Date June 11, 2007

 †    Required WHO trial registration data element.
††   WHO trial registration data element that is required only if it exists.




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