Polyglactin 910 outperforms fast absorbing gut for facial scar closure

A randomized, split-scar clinical trial of 105 adult patients shows that using 5-0 rapidly absorbable polyglactin 910 for epidermal closure of facial wounds yields statistically superior cosmetic scar outcomes at six months compared to 5-0 fast-absorbing gut. Published in the Dermatologic Surgery journal, the study tracked patients following Mohs micrographic surgery, evaluating them in clinic at one week and three months, with final scar assessments at six months. Dermatologist evaluations statistically favored polyglactin 910 across multiple standard metrics. On the Visual Analog Scale, polyglactin scored 76.5 versus 73.2 for gut. For the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale, it scored 4.4 versus 4.0, and on the Wound Evaluation Scale, it scored 5.4 versus 5.1. While four patients developed minor necrosis with a five percent mean area of necrosis, there was no overall difference in complications, and zero cases of infection or dehiscence occurred in either group. For clinicians performing facial excisions or closing surgical wounds, switching epidermal closures to rapidly absorbable polyglactin 910 offers a reliable, suture-removal-free option that visibly improves long-term cosmetic outcomes for patients.

Source: Dermatologic Surgery Journal Podcast, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIsLz_f2uB4