Using Absorbable Sutures for Traumatic Wound Closure to Avoid Additional Hospital Visits for Suture Removal During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic worldwide forced governments to undertake intervention measures to encourage social distancing. Meanwhile, traumatic skin lacerations require multiple hospital visits for dressing, changings, and suture removal since they are usually repaired with non-absorbable sutures. In a matter of fact, these visits can be avoided by using absorbable sutures instead. However, absorbable sutures carry the theoretical risk of wound infection. In this study, our aim was to determine whether absorbable sutures are better than non-absorbable sutures in repairing lacerations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first and second objectives were to assess the rate of infection and the number of postoperative hospital visits. Method(s): A sample of 469 patients with traumatic skin lacerations were analysed during the COVID-19 pandemic in April-July 2020. In the control group, wounds were repaired using non-absorbable sutures, while rapid-onset absorbable sutures were used in the treatment group. By conducting a phone call follow-up after 21 days, several parameters regarding infection signs and hospital visits were compared between both groups. Result(s): No statistically significant difference was observed between both groups regarding wound infection (p-value= 0.623). Using absorbable sutures resulted in fewer postoperative hospital visits than non-absorbable sutures (p-value= 0.001). This study is limited because the assessment of wound infection was subjective to the patient by a phone call follow-up. Conclusion(s): Using absorbable sutures to close traumatic skin lacerations is safe. They should be considered during a pandemic to reduce hospital visits for suture removal, which will subsequently enhance social distancing and relieve hospital load.