The Stretched Scar: The Benefit of Prolonged Dermal Support

January 1989 in “ British Journal of Plastic Surgery ”

David Elliot, P.J. Mahaffey

scar stretching dermal support non-absorbable suture subcuticular suture Prolene nylon polyglyconate Maxon polypropylene Prolene Maxon

TLDR Leaving non-absorbable sutures in for 6 months reduces scar stretching and width.

In a study from 1989, researchers Elliot and Mahaffey investigated the impact of suturing techniques on scar stretching in 45 Caucasian patients, aged 14 to 41, after tattoo removal from the upper limbs. The study involved 86 skin wounds and compared the use of a non-absorbable subcuticular suture (Prolene) left in for 6 months, a subcuticular Prolene suture removed after 3 weeks, and conventional interrupted sutures (nylon). The results showed that the 6-month subcuticular Prolene suture led to a 37.5% reduction in scar stretching and a 15.7% reduction in scar width compared to the 3-week subcuticular Prolene suture. The study concluded that prolonged dermal support with a non-absorbable suture for 6 months significantly reduces scar stretching, suggesting that suture material choice can influence postoperative scar appearance. Further studies were recommended to compare other suture materials like polyglyconate (Maxon) and polypropylene (Prolene) on scar stretching.

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research The Stretched Scar: The Benefit of Prolonged Dermal Support

37 citations, January 1989 in “British Journal of Plastic Surgery”

Leaving non-absorbable sutures in for 6 months reduces scar stretching and width.