Comparison of 5-0 Polypropylene Suture and N-Butyl/ 2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate for Closure of Surgical Wounds on the Trunk and Extremities: A Split Scar Study

BACKGROUND The use of tissue adhesive for closures on the head and neck is well documented; however, less data exist for scar outcomes on the trunk and extremities. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess differences in scar cosmetic outcomes between 5-0polypropylene suture (5-PS) and N-butyl/2-octyl cyanoacrylate (2-OCT) for primary closures solely on the trunk and extremities. METHODS Patients undergoing surgery on the trunk and extremities with wounds $5 cm were eligible. Scar photos at 1 year were taken and assessed by 2 blinded Mohs surgeons using the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating (SCAR) Scale. RESULTS Fifty-eight patients were included in the study, with 70% of wounds on trunk and 29% on extremities. The mean SCAR scores did not differ significantly between the groups (p 5 .78). Analysis of each scar characteristic did not differ significantly except for the presence of track marks in sutured wounds (p 5 .04). 2-OCT performed significantly better on the chest compared to 5-PS (p 5 .04) whereas no differences were seen on the arm or back. CONCLUSION Aside for the presence of track marks in sutured wounds, the results show no significant difference in overall cosmesis between 5-PS and 2-OCT scars on the trunk and extremities.