Menu
Recruiting NCT06448481

Aesthetic Outcome of Intra-dermal Versus Transcutaneous Purse-string Closure

No phase Interventional Scarring

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Intra-dermal purse-string closure, Transcutaneous purse-string closure.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Scarring. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
United States
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

Aesthetic Outcome of Intra-dermal Versus Transcutaneous Purse-string Closure: a Randomized Evaluator-blinded Split-wound Comparative Effectiveness Trial

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine whether intra-dermal versus transcutaneous purse-string closures have similar scar cosmesis and post-operative complications. The investigators will use a split wound model, where half of the wound will be closed with intra-dermal purse-string sutures and the other half will be closed with a transcutaneous purse-string sutures. Three-months post-surgery, the scar will be evaluated via the patient observer scar assessment scale (POSAS), a validated scar instrument, as well as the trace-to-tape method, an objective outcome measure for linear postoperative scars. Any adverse events will also be recorded.

Detailed description

The purse-string closure is a versatile technique that utilizes circumferential tissue advancement for partial or complete closure of circular cutaneous surgical defects. First reported in the 1950s for closure of a malar defect, the purse-string closure is now routinely used for umbilical, urethral, and breast defects as well as for cutaneous surgical defects either alone or in conjunction with top sutures, local flaps, or grafts.

Though the purse-string closure was initially described with circumferentially placed intradermal sutures, various modifications to this technique have been published including sub-cuticular, intra-dermal, and cuticular variations. All modifications of the purse-string closure share the advantages of reduced operating time, decreased defect and scar size, no removal of normal tissue, low hematoma risk, and faster healing time. However, several papers suggest that cuticular (transcutaneous) purse-string closures may be superior to intra-dermal purse-string closures due to enhanced hemostasis from greater compression of the dermal vessels, greater utility in atrophic and actinically damaged skin, lower risk of dermal dehiscence, and better efficacy in skin with limited laxity.

In 2015, a randomized trial comparing secondary intention healing to intradermal purse-string closure found similar cosmetic outcomes, scar size and pain level between the intra-dermal purse-string closure and secondary intention healing however similar studies comparing intra-dermal and transcutaneous purse-string closures are lacking. Given the potential functional advantages of the transcutaneous purse-string closure over the intra-dermal purse-string closure, additional studies comparing the two variations of the purse-string closure are needed to guide clinical practice.

The aesthetic outcome and rate of post-operative complications of intra-dermal versus transcutaneous purse-string closures have not been studied. This study seeks to compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous purse-string sutures to intra-dermal purse-string sutures by using individuals as their own controls in a split-scar model.

Interventions

  • Procedure Intra-dermal purse-string closure
    Sutures are placed below the skin surface around a circular surgical wound, and the ends are cinched together like a coin purse.
  • Procedure Transcutaneous purse-string closure
    Sutures are placed through the skin surface around a circular surgical wound, and cinched together like a coin purse.

Primary outcome measures

  • Observer Scar Assessment as measured by Patient Observer Scar Assessment Score (POSAS) [Time frame: 3 months]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
  • Patient Scar Assessment as measured by Patient Observer Scar Assessment Score (POSAS) [Time frame: 3 months]
  • Width of Scar as measured using Trace-to-Tape Method [Time frame: 3 months]
  • Complications or Adverse Events from Treatment [Time frame: 3 months]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Able to give informed consent themselves
  • Patient scheduled for cutaneous surgical procedure on the head, neck, trunk, or extremities with predicted purse-string closure.
  • Willing to return for follow up visit

Exclusion criteria

  • Incarceration
  • Under 18 years of age
  • Pregnant Women

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single blind
Primary purpose
Other

Study locations

United States · 1 center
  • University of California, Davis - Dermatology Department — Sacramento

Publications

  • Joo J, Custis T, Armstrong AW, King TH, Omlin K, Kappel ST, Eisen DB. Purse-string suture vs second intention healing: results of a randomized, blind clinical trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2015 Mar;151(3):265-70. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.2313. PMID 25372450
  • Scholl L, Meier NM, Hessam S, Valavanis K, Bechara FG. Subcuticular and cuticular purse-string sutures in dermatologic surgery. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2016 Feb;14(2):196-8. doi: 10.1111/ddg.12896. Epub 2016 Jan 20. No abstract available. PMID 26788857
  • Fioramonti P, Sorvillo V, Maruccia M, Lo Torto F, Marcasciano M, Ribuffo D, Cigna E. New application of purse string suture in skin cancer surgery. Int Wound J. 2018 Dec;15(6):893-899. doi: 10.1111/iwj.12941. Epub 2018 Jun 29. PMID 29956469
  • Park S, Oh Y, Lee JW, Choi S, Nam KA, Roh MR, Chung KY. Various Applications of Purse-String Suture and Its Cosmetic Outcome in Cutaneous Surgical Defects. Ann Dermatol. 2023 Apr;35(2):100-106. doi: 10.5021/ad.21.263. PMID 37041703
  • Cohen PR, Martinelli PT, Schulze KE, Nelson BR. The cuticular purse string suture: a modified purse string suture for the partial closure of round postoperative wounds. Int J Dermatol. 2007 Jul;46(7):746-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2007.03253.x. PMID 17614809
  • Cohen PR, Martinelli PT, Schulze KE, Nelson BR. The purse-string suture revisited: a useful technique for the closure of cutaneous surgical wounds. Int J Dermatol. 2007 Apr;46(4):341-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2007.03204.x. PMID 17442069
  • Weisberg NK, Greenbaum SS. Revisiting the purse-string closure: some new methods and modifications. Dermatol Surg. 2003 Jun;29(6):672-6. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.2003.29160.x. PMID 12786718
  • Lam TK, Lowe C, Johnson R, Marquart JD. Secondary Intention Healing and Purse-String Closures. Dermatol Surg. 2015 Oct;41 Suppl 10:S178-86. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000480. PMID 26418684

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06448481 · 2136552

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗