Operative Wound
Conditions
Keywords
Wound Edge Eversion, Dermal Sutures
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to determine whether wound edge eversion, achieved by careful placement of dermal sutures, improves the cosmetic outcome of operative wounds closed on the head or neck.
Detailed description
It has been established that as wounds heal, the resultant tissue remodeling results in wound contracture. Surgeons are taught that by everting wounds' edges with well-placed dermal sutures, there is less depression of the resultant scar. A prior study conducted by us at this center found that wound eversion was not associated with better cosmetic outcome (1). However, it was noted that most of the procedures were performed off the head and neck, places where the effects of eversion were thought to be most beneficial (2) Thus our goal is to now study the effects of eversion exclusively on the face and neck.
Interventions
OTHEREverted closure
Suturing technique to obtain wound eversion. Type of suturing technique at surgeon's discretion
OTHERPlanar closure
The planar side will be closed with traditional buried simple closure and running cuticular sutures
Sponsors
University of California, Davis
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Each wound will have 2 treatments. The type of treatment (Type of suturing) will be chosen by random assignment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Over 18 years of age * Able to give informed consent themselves * Patient scheduled for cutaneous surgical procedure with predicted linear closure on the face or neck * Willing to return for follow up visits
Exclusion criteria
* Mentally handicapped * Unable to understand written and oral English * Incarceration * Under 18 years of age * Pregnant Women * Adults unable to consent * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) * Pregnant women * Prisoners
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) | Within 3 months | The primary endpoint will be the score of two blinded reviewers using the physician observer assessment score at a three-month assessment visit. |
| Incidence of sunken scars | Within 3 months | The incidence of sunken scars or elevated scaring on each treatment side will also be determined |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed