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01-12-2020 | Wound Infection | Original Article

Subcuticular sutures in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a comparative study to evaluate wound infection rates and cosmetic results

Authors: Michele Grieco, Domenico Spoletini, Marco Marcasciano, Emanuela Grattarola, Viktoria Shihab, Massimo Carlini

Published in: Updates in Surgery | Issue 4/2020

Abstract

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is categorized as clean-contaminated surgery. It is important to prevent incisional surgical site infections (SSIs), because SSIs can prolong hospital stays, increase medical costs and produce negative cosmetic outcomes for patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of subcuticular skin sutures following colorectal laparoscopic surgery in terms of wound infection rates and aesthetic results. A retrospective analysis on a database of a consecutive series of unselected patients was conducted. Patients underwent elective colorectal laparoscopic surgery in a single center between October 1st of 2016 and October 30th of 2017. Data on patients' demographics, operative details, short-term and long-term outcomes and aesthetic satisfaction were prospectively recorded. A total of 100 patients were selected and divided in 2 groups: 43 patients who had received subcuticular sutures, 57 patients who had received separate stitch sutures. Wound infection rates were lower, with no statistical significance in the subcuticular suture group (6.9% versus 15.8%, p = 0.182), but the patient-reported cosmetic results were superior in the subcuticular suture group (1.9 versus 2.9, p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses identified high BMI and low preoperative hemoglobin level as possible risk factors associated with wound infection after colorectal laparoscopic surgery. Subcuticular sutures could improve cosmetic results in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer with comparable risks of wound infection. In this population, high BMI and low preoperative hemoglobin levels appear to be risk factors associated with wound infections.

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Title: Subcuticular sutures in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a comparative study to evaluate wound infection rates and cosmetic results
Authors: Michele Grieco
Domenico Spoletini
Marco Marcasciano
Emanuela Grattarola
Viktoria Shihab
Massimo Carlini
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Wound Infection
Published in: Updates in Surgery / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 2038-131X
Electronic ISSN: 2038-3312
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13304-020-00740-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Subcuticular sutures in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a comparative study to evaluate wound infection rates and cosmetic results

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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