SutureNCT04870008
Aesthetic Outcome of Running Cuticular Suture Distance (2mm vs 5mm)
A study testing Suture in people with Suture and Dermatologic Surgery, run by University of California, Davis at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
It is standard teaching that the top layer of sutures should be placed 3-5mm from the wound edge. However, there is lack of data regarding the most optimal placement of sutures from the wound edge for the best cosmetic outcome. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Suture, Dermatologic Surgery, Scar
- What is being tested?
- Suture
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 20 Nov 2019to 1 Apr 2021
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 18 years of age or older
- Able to give informed consent themselves
- Patient scheduled for cutaneous surgical procedure on the head and neck with predicted primary closure
- Willing to return for follow up visit
Who cannot join
- Mentally handicapped
- Incarceration
- Under 18 years of age
- Pregnant Women
- Wounds with predicted closure length less than 3 cm
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of California, Davis
Sacramento, California, 95816
About this study
Official title: Aesthetic Outcome of Running Cuticular Suture Distance (2mm vs 5mm) From Wound Edge on the Closure of Linear Wounds on the Head and Neck: a Randomized Evaluator Blinded Split Wound Comparative Effective Trial
It is standard teaching that the top layer of sutures should be placed 3-5mm from the wound edge. However, there is lack of data regarding the most optimal placement of sutures from the wound edge for the best cosmetic outcome. The research team wish to determine if sutures placed closer to the wound edge (2mm) or farther from the wound edge (5mm) makes a difference in the cosmetic outcome of the scar.
Read the detailed description
Sutures are the standard of care in repairing cutaneous wounds. The majority of surgical reconstructions following a Mohs micrographic surgery and standard surgical excisions require two layers of sutures: a deep (subcutaneous) layer and a top (cutaneous) layer. The deep layer dissolves naturally whereas the top layer may necessitate removal if non-absorbable sutures are used. Given the overall lack of evidence in the literature, the choice of suturing technique is largely dependent on the surgeon's preference.
This study aims to investigate whether the distance of simple cuticular suture placement from the wound edge affects wound cosmesis on the head and neck. In other words, we would like to determine which of the following yields a more cosmetically appealing scar: cuticular sutures placed 2 mm from wound edge or cuticular sutures placed 5mm from wound edge.
Although a Dermatologic surgery textbook states that simple cuticular sutures should be placed 3 mm-5 mm from the wound edge1, there have not been any studies to evaluate the optimal distance from wound edge to achieve the most cosmetically appealing scar.
Overall, there is paucity of data regarding the optimal distance of cuticular suture placement from the wound edge to achieve the most cosmetically appealing scar. The research team hope that the study will provide new insight in cutaneous surgery.
- Conditions
- Suture, Dermatologic Surgery, Scar, Cosmetic Outcome
- Being tested
- Suture
- Medical subject headings
- Cicatrix
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SutureProcedure or surgery
The side of patient's scar that will receive the sutures placed at 2 or 5 mm from wound edge.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mm | Active comparator | The side of patient's scar that will receive the sutures placed at 2 mm from wound edge. Receives: Procedure: Suture |
| 5 mm | Active comparator | The side of patient's scar that will receive the sutures placed at 5 mm from wound edge. Receives: Procedure: Suture |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The score of two blinded reviewers using the patient observer scar assessment score
At the follow-up visit, two blinded observers will record their scores independently using the POSAS (Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale) instrument. Each item of the POSAS is rated on a 10-point score. The lowest score is '1', which corresponds to the situation of normal skin (i.e. normal pigmentation, no itching). Score 10 equals the largest difference from normal skin (i.e. the worst imaginable scar or sensation). The total score of both scales can be simply calculated by summing up the scores of each of the six items.
Measured: 3-12 months
The mean scar width using the trace-to-tape method at the assessment visit
The trace-to-tape method is an objective outcome measure for linear postoperative scars. Mean scar width in mm.
Measured: 3-12 months
Secondary outcomes (1)
Any complications from the treatment
Occurrence of any complications including: spitting sutures, dehiscence, infection, necrosis, bleeding, and hematoma
Measured: 3-12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 May 2021
- Study start20 Nov 2019
- Primary completion20 Nov 2020
- Study completion1 Apr 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for SutureStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of California, DavisThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, Davis
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Daniel Eisen, MD, University of California, Davis
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04870008
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 1508837
- Status last verified
- Apr 2021
- First submitted
- 28 Apr 2021
- Last updated
- 3 May 2021
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 May 2021. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Aesthetic Outcome of Running Cuticular Suture Distance (2mm vs 5mm) From Wound Edge on the Closure of Linear Wounds on the Head and Neck: a Randomized Evaluator Blinded Split Wound Comparative Effective Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04870008
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 1508837
- Conditions
- Suture, Dermatologic Surgery, Scar, Cosmetic Outcome
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, DavisUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Nov 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Nov 2020 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Apr 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 May 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
It is standard teaching that the top layer of sutures should be placed 3-5mm from the wound edge. However, there is lack of data regarding the most optimal placement of sutures from the wound edge for the best cosmetic outcome. The research team wish to determine if sutures placed closer to the wound edge (2mm) or farther from the wound edge (5mm) makes a difference in the cosmetic outcome of the scar.
Detailed description
Sutures are the standard of care in repairing cutaneous wounds. The majority of surgical reconstructions following a Mohs micrographic surgery and standard surgical excisions require two layers of sutures: a deep (subcutaneous) layer and a top (cutaneous) layer. The deep layer dissolves naturally whereas the top layer may necessitate removal if non-absorbable sutures are used. Given the overall lack of evidence in the literature, the choice of suturing technique is largely dependent on the surgeon's preference.
This study aims to investigate whether the distance of simple cuticular suture placement from the wound edge affects wound cosmesis on the head and neck. In other words, we would like to determine which of the following yields a more cosmetically appealing scar: cuticular sutures placed 2 mm from wound edge or cuticular sutures placed 5mm from wound edge.
Although a Dermatologic surgery textbook states that simple cuticular sutures should be placed 3 mm-5 mm from the wound edge1, there have not been any studies to evaluate the optimal distance from wound edge to achieve the most cosmetically appealing scar.
Overall, there is paucity of data regarding the optimal distance of cuticular suture placement from the wound edge to achieve the most cosmetically appealing scar. The research team hope that the study will provide new insight in cutaneous surgery.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mm | Active comparator | Procedure: SutureThe side of patient's scar that will receive the sutures placed at 2 mm from wound edge. |
| 5 mm | Active comparator | Procedure: SutureThe side of patient's scar that will receive the sutures placed at 5 mm from wound edge. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 18 years of age or older
- Able to give informed consent themselves
- Patient scheduled for cutaneous surgical procedure on the head and neck with predicted primary closure
- Willing to return for follow up visit
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Mentally handicapped
- Incarceration
- Under 18 years of age
- Pregnant Women
- Wounds with predicted closure length less than 3 cm
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| SutureThe side of patient's scar that will receive the sutures placed at 2 or 5 mm from wound edge. | Procedure or surgery | 2 mm, 5 mm |
Primary outcome
The score of two blinded reviewers using the patient observer scar assessment score
Time frame: 3-12 months
At the follow-up visit, two blinded observers will record their scores independently using the POSAS (Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale) instrument. Each item of the POSAS is rated on a 10-point score. The lowest score is '1', which corresponds to the situation of normal skin (i.e. normal pigmentation, no itching). Score 10 equals the largest difference from normal skin (i.e. the worst imaginable scar or sensation). The total score of both scales can be simply calculated by summing up the scores of each of the six items.
The mean scar width using the trace-to-tape method at the assessment visit
Time frame: 3-12 months
The trace-to-tape method is an objective outcome measure for linear postoperative scars. Mean scar width in mm.
1 secondary outcome
Any complications from the treatment
Time frame: 3-12 months
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 May 2021.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Suture in people with Suture and Dermatologic Surgery, run by University of California, Davis at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 May 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The score of two blinded reviewers using the patient observer scar assessment score (time frame: 3-12 months). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 May 2021; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.