Evaluation of Dermal Closure With an Absorbable Barbed Suture as Compared to a Conventional Absorbable Suture

One of the greater common challenges of a surgical procedure is to effectively and efficiently close wounds across various levels of muscle, fat, fascia and/or skin. Surgical sutures continue to be the material of choice for wound closure. However, complications of sutures are those associated with tying knots to secure the suture. Examples of associated suture complications, although not comprehensive, include knot breakage and slippage, suture extrusion or spitting, infection, ischemia and scarring, reduced wound strength and inflammation and dehiscence. Both interrupted and continuous suture patterns require knots for suture line security when conventional suture constructs are used. Barbed sutures are designed to eliminate the need for tying knots during closure, thus ameliorating the detrimental aspects of knots.