Abstract: Background: This study was conducted to compare the results of skin closure using skin staples versus sutures in distal 1/3rd of lower limb surgery using Southampton Wound Scoring System. This study suggested there was higher incidence of inflammation wound gaping associated with skin staples however it was associated with better surgical scar after removal.
Methods: Out of 60 participants who underwent distal 1/3rd lower limb surgery, in 30 patients wounds were closed with conventional nylon sutures and in other 30 patients wounds were closed with skin staples. Patients were evaluated post-operatively every 3rd day untill the day of suture removal and results were compared on the basis of Southampton wound scoring system, surgical time for closure and in terms of cosmetic appearance of scar.
Results: Out of 60 patients, 34 were males and 26 were females. The Mean age group of this study population was 46.6 years with SD of 12.5 years. Wound infection rate was found to be higher with skin staples (13.33%) as compared to conventional nylon sutures (6.66%). However average surgical time for closure for skin staples was low (2.4 min) as compared to conventional sutures (5.7 min). But skin closure with nylon sutures resulted in a better surgical scar post-operatively.
Conclusion: Primary wound closure in distal 1/3rd of lower limb surgeryis very important to reduce postoperative morbidity and complications. Wound closure with nylon sutures not only results in lesser rates of infection as compared to skin staples but also it gives better cosmetic results post sutures removal. The only advantage of using skin staples bekng less surgical time for wound closure.
