Authors: Motosko, Catherine C.,
B.S.; Zakhem, George A., B.S.; Saadeh, Pierre B., M.D.; Hazen, Alexes, M.D.
Background: Barbed sutures have
become increasingly popular in the field of aesthetic plastic surgery,
particularly in body contouring and breast operations, in which the use of
barbed sutures may offer both time and cost savings. Scar aesthetics is an
important outcome for both surgeons and patients in these procedures; however,
there is a paucity of studies assessing the aesthetic outcome of barbed sutures
with regard to scarring.
Methods: A systematic review
of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed from the date of
their inception through July of 2017 using the search terms “barbed suture”
combined with “scar” or “wound.” Studies were included if they were
prospective, evaluator-blind, randomized, controlled trials; closed the dermal
layer of incisions using barbed sutures; and included an evaluator-blind
aesthetic assessment of scarring.
Results: Six prospective,
randomized, controlled trials met inclusion criteria. The cosmetic result of scars
in 926 patients was evaluated after an average of 8.1 months. Five of the six
controlled trials found the aesthetic results of wounds closed with barbed
sutures to be equivalent to those closed with traditional sutures, and one
study showed significantly superior aesthetic results with barbed sutures. Use
of barbed sutures resulted in shorter operating times in four of the five
studies that timed incision closure. Similar complication rates were observed
in all evaluated studies.
Conclusion: Based on this
systematic review, the majority of studies concluded that there were no
differences in scarring aesthetics when dermal layers were closed using barbed
sutures compared with traditional suturing techniques.
