Staples vs Prolene Sutures: Comparative Outcomes in Elective Surgery

Abstract

Background: Surgical wound closure is a crucial determinant of postoperative recovery, with the choice of closure method significantly influencing the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs), cosmetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction.

Objective: This quasi-experimental study compared metallic staple closure with Prolene suture closure in elective surgical procedures at the Department of General Surgery, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from January 2023 to January 2024.

Methods: A total of 180 patients were enrolled through consecutive sampling and equally divided into two groups: Group A underwent skin closure with stainless steel staples, while Group B received closure with Prolene sutures. Wounds were assessed on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 30th postoperative days for signs of infection.

Results: The mean age of participants was 53.9 ± 6.5 years, with no significant baseline differences between groups. The overall prevalence of postoperative wound infection was 7.69% (n=12). Group A demonstrated a significantly lower infection rate (3.3%, n=3) compared to Group B (10.0%, n=9; p=0.037). Most infections were detected on the 7th postoperative day. No severe complications or mortality were observed during follow-up.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the clinical advantage of staple closure in reducing infection risk, likely due to reduced tissue handling and shorter closure time. While Prolene sutures remain cost-effective and widely accessible, particularly in resource-constrained settings, staples offer superior outcomes in terms of infection prevention. These results underscore the importance of considering wound closure methods as a modifiable factor in improving surgical safety and efficiency in tertiary care hospitals.