Comparison of the wound healing and complications of zipper type closure adhesive tape and stapler for surgical wound suture: A randomized control, single-centre, open-label trial

Abstract

Xkin closure is a newly developed medical suture device for lacerations and surgical wounds that can reduce scarring, pain and the risk of infection compared with conventional sutures or staplers. A randomized controlled study was performed to compare the wound healing effects and complications of Xkin closure with stapler closure. Fifty patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer were randomly assigned. Only the wound above the navel, which was extended to take out the prostate was targeted. The wound was examined at 2, 6 and 12 weeks after surgery, and the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS), scar height and side effects were assessed with a 3D skin analyser. Forty-six patients (23 Xkin, 23 Stapler) were analysed. The mVSS scores, vascularity and pliability were significantly lower in the Xkin group compared with the stapler group at the 12-week follow-up. No significant differences in the maximum peak and depth of the scars were detected between the two groups using 3D photographs at 12 weeks. Xkin is an effective wound closure method for improving scar outcomes. This method is expected to be widely used for surgical wounds and lacerations caused by trauma in daily life.

Keywords: postoperative scar; prostatectomy; surgical wound; three‐dimensional imaging.

FIGURE 1

Flow chart of the study.

FIGURE 2

Representative digital photographs of scars at the 2‐, 6‐ and 12‐week follow‐ups.

FIGURE 3

Comparison of the maximum peak and depth of the scars between the two groups and representative 3D images at the 12‐week follow‐up. (A, D) Photographs of the wound for 3D measurements. All photos were taken under the same conditions. (B, E) The red dots indicate the elevated areas of the scar. (C, F) The blue dots indicate the depressed areas of the scar.