Closure of Pfannenstiel skin incisions. Staples vs. subcuticular suture.

OBJECTIVE

To compare skin closure with staples and subcuticular suture.

STUDY DESIGN

Obstetric patients undergoing cesarean section with a Pfannenstiel incision were prospectively randomized to skin closure with staples or subcuticular suture. Pain and cosmesis were assessed postoperatively.

RESULTS

Patients reported significantly less pain following subcuticular closure at both the time of discharge (P < or = .01) and the postoperative visit (P < or = .002). Incisions closed with subcuticular suture were found to be more cosmetically attractive by both patients (P = .04) and physicians (P = .01) at the postoperative visit.

CONCLUSION

Pfannenstiel skin incisions closed with subcuticular closure following cesarean section result in less postoperative discomfort and are more cosmetically appealing at the six-week postoperative visit as compared to incisions closed with staples.