Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access

Abstract

Retrospective Review of Wound Complications Following Skin Closure by Either Percutaneous Metal Staples or Absorbable Subcuticular Staples in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Delivery

Latasha Steele, Cassandra Kuchta, Silvia Linares, Jonathan Faro and Michael Adler

Objective: To determine the wound complication rate of patients undergoing cesarean delivery skin closure by either percutaneous metal staples or absorbable subcuticular staples in a large teaching hospital.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of six hundred sixty patients who underwent cesarean delivery skin closure with either metal staples or absorbable staples. The primary outcome examined was the development of any wound complications.

Results: Two hundred forty eight patients were eligible for analysis in the metal staple group compared to sixty-five patients in the absorbable staple group. A 7.7% wound complication rate was observed in the absorbable staple group compared to a 21.3% wound complication rate in the metal staple group. A statistical difference (p=0.01) was noted between the two groups. Body mass index between both groups were also statically different yielding 37 kg/m2 in the metal staple arm group versus 32 kg/m2 (p ≤ 0.001) in the absorbable staple group.

Conclusion: Percutaneous metal staples were associated with more wound complications compared to absorbable subcuticular staples. Body mass index was greater in the percutaneous metal staple group as compared to the absorbable subcuticular staple group.