Polyglactin 910 Outperforms Fast Absorbable Gut for Facial Scar Outcomes

Epidermal closure with rapidly absorbable 5-0 polyglactin 910 yields statistically superior facial scar cosmetic outcomes at six months compared to 5-0 fast-absorbing gut suture. In a split-scar clinical trial from the Dermatologic Surgery Centre at the University of British Columbia, researchers evaluated 98 patients at their six-month follow-up. Assessing dermatologist scores favored polyglactin 910 across multiple metrics, including a VAS score of 76.5 compared to 73.2 for gut, and a Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES) score of 4.4 versus 4.0. The WES score similarly favored polyglactin 910 at 5.4 versus 5.1. While evaluations from a participating plastic surgeon also leaned toward polyglactin 910, those specific ratings did not reach statistical significance. Crucially, there was no difference in postoperative complications between the two materials. For clinics performing facial excisions or closure procedures, transitioning to rapidly absorbable polyglactin 910 for epidermal closure provides a validated, low-risk adjustment to improve long-term cosmetic outcomes.

Source: Dermatologic Surgery Digest, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6xklciq_gGzJvsUIiIEJhc2Jmz1iV9XMZubj3QRH9pwtaqGoe2idZyBvGTZRyiQXR5nlxqb_Kqkvzjk0qVVdtCdsclRZX7TL5T-WhlotnvCyGIxajTFq4bdGLPFLIS-rhsBYg==