Sutures vs staples meta-analysis

Sutures versus staples for skin closure in orthopaedic surgery: meta-analysis.

Smith TO, Sexton D, Mann C, et al. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 2010 · PMID 20234041 · doi:10.1136/bmj.c1199

Question

Do staples or sutures give lower wound infection after orthopaedic surgery?

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised and non-randomised comparative studies.

Patients

Patients having orthopaedic surgery, mainly hip and knee procedures.

Intervention

Skin staples

Comparison

Sutures

Primary outcome

Superficial wound infection

Key result

Staples were associated with a significantly higher risk of superficial wound infection than sutures, particularly after hip surgery.

Limitations

Included studies were small, of variable quality and partly non-randomised.

Impact on practice

It is widely cited to support suture closure for hip surgery and prompted UK trials of closure methods.