Scar appearance of different skin and subcutaneous tissue closure techniques in caesarean section: a randomized study.

OBJECTIVES To determine the role of skin and subcutaneous space closure in caesarean section on the cosmetic appearance of the scar and the patients' satisfaction. STUDY DESIGN 153 patients undergoing caesarean section without prior abdominal delivery were included and randomly assigned in a non-blinded study to four different combinations of skin and subcutaneous tissue closure. The scar was assessed after a period of at least 4 months by a self-developed protocol and the patient was asked to complete a survey regarding her satisfaction with the scar. RESULTS One hundred patients were eligible for long-term evaluation of the scar. Skin closure by either staples or intracutaneous suture in combination with closure or non-closure of the subcutaneous space has a comparable outcome in view of cosmetic outcome and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS All four methods of skin closure seem to be a reasonable choice in caesarean section because they have comparable cosmetic outcome, do not differ with respect to the patients' satisfaction and bear comparable costs.