Randomised trial comparing Proximate stapler with conventional skin closure.

The Proximate stapler was compared with usual skin closure in a randomized trial, with 137 patients having elective abdominal and breast surgery. The median duration of skin closure with the Proximate stapler was 80 seconds, which was significantly shorter than the median of 242 seconds with conventional closure. No difference was found with regard to wound infection, but pain was more frequent after stapling.