Study Objective. To discern the best method of wound closure after lap
aroscopy based on patient acceptability of pain, complications, and co
smetic result. Design. Randomized, prospective study. Setting. A unive
rsity-affiliated hospital. Patients. Fifty-four women. Interventions.
The women received interrupted 3-0 nylon sutures, subcuticular 3-0 pol
yglactin 910 sutures, or adhesive strips for skin closure. At the umbi
lical port site the rectus sheath was closed with a single 0 polyglact
in suture and then one oi the three materials for skin closure. The la
teral ports were closed with a combination of these materials, allowin
g each patient to act as her own control. Measurements and Main Result
s. Pain was significantly less in wounds closed by subcuticular techni
que than in those closed by either transcutaneous suture or adhesive s
trips. This was seen for the 5-mm, 10-mm, and umbilical port sites. Th
ere was no statistically significant difference in the rate of reporte
d complications or patient satisfaction between subcuticular and trans
cutaneous wound sites. Conclusion. We believe these results support su
bcuticular methods of wound closure after laparoscopic procedures.