CLOSURE OF PFANNENSTIEL SKIN INCISIONS - STAPLES VS. SUBCUTICULAR SUTURE

OBJECTIVE: To compare skin closure with staples and subcuticular sutur e. STUDY DESIGN: Obstetric patients undergoing cesarean section with I t Pfannenstiel incision were prospectively randomized to skin closure with staples or subcuticular suture. Pain and cosmesis were assessed p ostoperatively. RESULTS: Patients reported significantly less pain fol lowing subcuticular closure at both the time of discharge (P less than or equal to.01) and the postoperative visit (P less than or equal to. 002). Incisions closed with subcuticular suture were found to be more cosmetically attractive by both patients (P = .04) and physicians (P = .01) at the postoperative visit. CONCLUSION: Pfannenstiel skin incisi ons closed with subcuticular closure following cesarean section result in less postoperative discomfort and are move cosmetically appealing at the six-week postoperative visit as compared to incisions closed wi th staples.