The stretched scar: the benefit of prolonged dermal support.

Abstract

A study of skin suture following elliptical excision of tattoos from the upper limb shows that when the dermis is supported by a subcuticular non-absorbable suture for 6 months there is (a) a highly significant and numerically considerable (37.5%) reduction of scar stretching over that following conventional interrupted skin suture and (b) a significant reduction of scar width (15.7%) when compared with the same material used as a subcuticular suture for 3 weeks. Subcuticular polyglycolic acid achieved no reduction in scar width at one year when compared with conventional interrupted sutures.

• Authors: D Elliot, P J Mahaffey
• Journal: British journal of plastic surgery (Br J Plast Surg) Vol. 42 Issue 1 Pg. 74-8 (Jan 1989) ISSN: 0007-1226 [Print] England
• PMID: 2537125 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Nylons
• Polypropylenes
• Polyglycolic Acid

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cicatrix (pathology)
• Dermatologic Surgical Procedures
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Nylons
• Polyglycolic Acid
• Polypropylenes
• Skin (pathology)
• Suture Techniques
• Sutures
• Tattooing
• Time Factors