SKIN CLOSURE AT LAPAROSCOPY

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.