Wound Closure Techniques
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether undermining during cutaneous surgery improves scar cosmesis compared to wound closure without undermining.
Detailed description
The purpose of this study is to determine whether undermining during cutaneous surgery improves scar cosmesis compared to wound closure without undermining. Our aims are to compare outcomes using a split wound model, where half the wound is undermined and the other half is not. This will be measured via the physician observer scar assessment scale, a validated scar instrument and via wound width. Our hypothesis is that wound undermining will result in cosmetically superior wound outcomes.
Interventions
PROCEDUREWound Closure with Undermining
The side assigned to undermining will have undermining performed prior to wound closure in the subcutaneous plane. The amount of undermining will range from 1 cm for wounds with low tension to 2 cm for those with moderate tension. Since wound diameter will be 3 cm or less and exclude the scalp, high tension wounds are not anticipated.
PROCEDUREWound Closure without Undermining
One side of the wound will remain un-undermined.
Sponsors
University of California, Davis
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Able to give informed consent themselves * Patient scheduled for cutaneous surgical procedure with predicted linear closure * Willing to return for follow up visits
Exclusion criteria
* Mentally handicapped * Incarceration * Pregnant Women * Wounds with predicted closure length less than 3 cm * Wounds with diameter \> 3 cm * Wounds unable to be fully closed without undermining
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment of Scar on the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale | 3 months | After surgical procedure, half of the subject's wound will be closed after undermining, while the other half is closed without undermining. After 3 months, subjects will return to clinic for evaluation of the cosmesis of both types of closure techniques. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement of Scar Width | 3 months | The width of the scar will be measured 1 centimeter from the midline on both sides. There is no defined width that is considered satisfactory or not satisfactory. The measurements will be compared between subjects. |
| Assessment of Complications | 3 months | Noting the presence or absence of bleeding, dehiscence, infection or spitting sutures. |
Outcome results
None listed