Quantification of Erythema Associated With Varying Suture Materials in Facial Surgery Repair: A Randomized Prospective Study

BACKGROUND A common concern among patients following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is scar appearance and residual erythema. However, few studies have quantitatively compared scar erythema between different suture materials. OBJECTIVE To quantify erythema intensity (EI) associated with use of percutaneous nylon, irradiated polyglactin-910 (IPG) and fast-absorbing gut (FG) sutures on facial sites. METHODS After undergoing MMS, 210 patients were randomized to one of 2 groups. Patients in the first group (n = 105) had their defects repaired half with continuous IPG sutures and the other half with nylon sutures; the second group (n = 105) received IPG and FG sutures. Standardized photographs of scars were taken at 1 week, 2 months, and 6 months postoperatively and computer-assisted image analysis was used to quantify EI. RESULTS The average EI was comparable between all 3 suture materials at 1 week, 2 months, and 6 months. From 1 week to 2 months, EI in nylon, IPG, and FG sutures decreased by 24.8%, 12.8%, and 17.9% (p < .05), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in EI among suture types between 2 and 6 months. CONCLUSION Erythema decreased significantly during early scar maturation in all groups and was comparable between all suture materials at 1 week, 2 months, and 6 months.