Absorbable versus Non-Absorbable Sutures in Paediatric Facial Trauma - A Cosmetic Assessment

ABSTRACT

Paediatric age group is most vulnerable to trauma. Children often suffer facial injuries. Though many topical skin adhesives and strips are available in the market which have given excellent cosmetic results, deeper injuries especially along the lines of high tension need suturing both with buried and skin sutures. Different variety of sutures are available in the market which are used as per the choice of the surgeon. Children are more apprehensive when it comes to suture removal. So use of absorbable sutures in place of non-absorbable sutures in skin can save the children from this fear factor. MethodsA prospective study was done in the department of plastic surgery from May 2012 to Dec. 2013 with an objective of studying the outcome of plain catgut suture as skin sutures versus non-absorbable skin suture Nylon in facial trauma in the paediatric age group. Chromic catgut was used as buried suture in both groups. All the patients presenting in emergency department with facial trauma with age 10 years or less were included in the study. Skin sutures, where needed removal, were removed on 5th post-operative day followed by follow up on 7th post-operative day, 3rd month and 8th month during which cosmetic assessment of scar was done. 25 patients who presented first in emergency and fulfilled the study criteria were sutured with 5 - 0 chromic catgut buried sutures and skin suture used was 6 - 0 Nylon and this group was labelled group A. Next 25 patients who presented in emergency for suturing were sutured with 5 - 0 chromic catgut as buried and plain catgut as skin suture. This group was labelled as Group B. Cosmetic outcome was assessed on 7th post-operative day, 3rd month and 8th month by using Beusang E cosmetic scar assessment scale based on two parameters which included colour and texture of scar.1 Statistical analysis was done with continuous variables expressed as Mean ± S.D. and categorical variables were expressed as count (percentage). Chi-square was used to compare the categorical variables between groups or Fisher exact test was used. ResultsOn 7th post-operative day follow up, out of 50 patients, 25 patients (50 %) in whom nylon was used as skin suture, 4 patients (16 %) had mismatch of colour. All scars were smooth in texture. In rest 25 patients (50 %) in whom plain catgut was used as a skin suture, 1 (4 %) patient had mismatch of the colour. None of the patients had frank pus in both groups & hypertrophic scar was seen in one patient. On 3rd month follow up, Group A patients with nylon as skin suture, 1 (4 %) patient showed hypertrophic scar whereas in Group B (8 %) patients had hypertrophic scar. On 8th month follow up, both group A & B had colour mismatch of 12% with firm texture of scar in 8% patients. ConclusionsThere is no long-term differences in cosmetic outcomes and complication rates between absorbable catgut suture and commonly used nylon sutures in the repair of facial trauma in paediatric age groups. So, absorbable sutures are acceptable alternative to non-absorbable suture especially in paediatric age group, keeping in mind their apprehensive nature and fear of suture removal.