Published in:
01-02-2004 | Original Article
Wound complications and stitch length
Authors:
D. Millbourn, L. A. Israelsson
Published in:
Hernia
|
Issue 1/2004
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Abstract
The effect of suturing with a very short stitch on the development of wound complications in midline incisions was investigated. Three hundred sixty-eight patients were analysed. The suture length to wound length ratio and mean stitch length were calculated. Wound infection occurred in 4% (four of 103) of patients sutured with a mean stitch length of less than 4 cm, in 8% (nine of 117) with stitch length 4–4.9 cm, and in 16% (24 of 148) with a longer stitch (P=0.004). At 12-month follow up, incisional hernia was present in 3% (two of 76) of patients sutured with a mean stitch length of less than 4 cm and in 12% (25 of 215) sutured with a longer stitch (P=0.043). In midline incisions closed with a suture length to wound length ratio of at least 4, a short stitch is associated with a lower rate of both wound infection and incisional hernia.