Absorbable versus Nonabsorbable Sutures to Prevent Postoperative Stretching of Wound Area

    August 1986 in “ Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery ”
    Rolf E. A. Nordström, Riitta M. Nordstrom
    TLDR Nonabsorbable sutures cause less wound stretching and scarring than absorbable ones.
    The study compared absorbable (Dexon) and nonabsorbable (Prolene) sutures in 21 patients undergoing scalp surgery for androgenetic alopecia. Results showed that the Dexon group experienced 48 to 59% more postoperative wound stretching and 60 to 76% wider scars than the Prolene group, with significant differences observed 2 to 3 months postoperatively. These findings highlighted the importance of selecting appropriate suture materials to minimize wound stretching and scar widening, particularly in cases prone to complications.
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