A Randomized, Controlled Study Comparing Two Standardized Closure Methods of Laparoscopic Port Sites

OBJECTIVES To compare octyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive (OCT) with the standard suture technique for the closure of laparoscopic port sites. METHODS This was a randomized clinical trial of 40 patients. All participants had 2 lower abdominal ports, with one port closed using OCT while the opposite port was closed with 4-0 monocryl suture. An evaluation of the wound was performed 2 weeks to 4 weeks after surgery. The Hollander Wound Evaluation Scale (HWES, including step-off of borders, contour irregularities, margin separation, edge inversion, excessive distortion, and overall appearance) was used for cosmetic evaluation. Complications, such as erythema, warmth, tenderness, drainage, and wound infection, were evaluated. Analysis of complications was performed using the chi-square test, and cosmetic evaluation including individual components of the HWES was compared with the t test, P<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS Eighty wounds were evaluated in 40 patients. The number of patients with complications including erythema (1/40 vs. 16/40), tenderness (1/40 vs. 19/40), and drainage (1/40 vs. 9/40) was lower with OCT than with sutures, respectively (all P<0.001). The ports closed with OCT had higher overall HWES, ie, better cosmetic score (5.92 ± 0.05 vs 5.50±0.13) and lower margin separation (1/40 vs. 10/40) but had higher contour irregularity (6/40 vs. 1/40) (all P=0.05). However, skin contour irregularity was significantly better when OCT was applied using fine tissue forceps (P=0.002). CONCLUSION Laparoscopic ports closed with OCT had fewer early complications, such as wound erythema, tenderness, and drainage. Ports closed with OCT had a better cosmetic appearance.