Patient satisfaction and cosmetic outcome in a randomized study of cesarean skin closure

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate patient satisfaction and patient and physician assessment of scar appearance after cesarean skin closure with suture versus staples.

Methods: Women undergoing cesarean delivery (CD) at ≥23 weeks’ gestation via low-transverse skin incisions at three hospitals in the CROSS Consortium were randomized to receive skin closure using subcuticular absorbable suture or nonabsorbable metal staples. The primary outcome of this substudy, patient satisfaction, was assessed by surveys at the postpartum visit using a 10-point Likert scale. Scar outcomes according to patients and trained observers were assessed at the primary research site using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). The POSAS is comprised of a patient-completed assessment including subjective data such as pain and itchiness, and an observer-completed assessment about cosmetic criteria.

Results: Between June 2010 and August 2012, 746 women were randomized; 370 received suture and 376 received staples. Satisfaction data were available for 606 (81%). Complete patient scar assessment data were available for 577 (77%) and complete observer scar assessment data were available for 275 (57% of the 480 planned for evaluation at the primary research site). Demographic data for women in the two groups were similar. Satisfaction with the closure method was higher (superior) among women who received suture closure: median 10 (interquartile range 9, 10) versus 9 (interquartile ranges (IQR) 6, 10); p < .01. The suture group also had higher satisfaction with the scar’s appearance at the postpartum visit: median nine (IQR 7, 10) versus 8 (IQR 6, 10); p = .02. Receiving one’s preferred closure method was associated with higher patient satisfaction, and wound complications were associated with lower satisfaction. POSAS scores were superior (lower) in the suture group. Patient Scar Assessment Scale scores were median 15 (IQR 10, 25) for sutures versus 20 (IQR 11, 28) for staples; p < .01. Observer Scar Assessment Scale scores were median 12 (IQR 9, 15) for sutures versus 13 (IQR 9, 16) for staples; p = .01.

Conclusions: Satisfaction with the closure method, satisfaction with the scar’s appearance, and patient and physician assessments of scar cosmesis were all superior in those closed with suture. These results further support the use of sutures for cesarean skin closure.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01211600.

Keywords:

• Cesarean delivery
• closure method
• Pfannenstiel
• satisfaction
• scar

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Thomas Klein, MD (faculty at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University; no other source of funding), Carol Sudtelgte, CNM (Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University; no other source of funding), Alison Vogell, MD (physician at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University; no other source of funding), and Monica Sharma (research assistant at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University; no other source of funding) for performing incisional scar evaluations; Benjamin Leiby (biostatistician at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University) and Charlene Appenzeller (clerical assistant at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University; no other source of funding) for assistance with clinical coordination of care and follow-up.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

After the study was designed and initiated, Ethicon, Inc agreed to provide funds to assist with patient recruitment and follow-up. The funding source had no influence on study design, study execution, data analysis, or publication.