Barbed Suture vs Non-Barbed Closure for Emergency Exploratory Laparotomy RCT

The proposed study is a randomized control trial that aims to compare the efficacy of triclosan-coated barbed suture versus conventional non-barbed polydioxanone (PDS) suture in the closure of the abdominal fascia after emergency exploratory laparotomy. Triclosan-coated barbed suture (STRATAFIX™ Symmetric, Johnson \& Johnson) is a knotless type of surgical suture that has gained popularity due to its unique features. It is coated with an antiseptic material and has barbs that lock into position when placed through soft tissue, such as the abdominal fascia. Unlike conventional monofilament suture material, barbed sutures distribute tension evenly throughout the reapproximated opposing fascial edges, reducing local ischemia, which is a risk factor for poor wound healing and surgical site infections (SSI). Additionally, the use of barbed sutures eliminates the need for traditional suture knots and relies less on a surgeon's knot-tying ability. Triclosan, the antiseptic material coating the suture, inhibits bacterial growth and has been shown to reduce bacterial colonization of sutures for at least seven days in vitro.

The study aims to build upon previous research that has shown the potential benefits of triclosan-coated barbed suture in abdominal wall closure. A randomized controlled trial conducted by Llavero et al. in 2015 demonstrated a reduction in SSI rates when using non-barbed triclosan-coated suture for abdominal wall closure in patients undergoing open surgery for fecal peritonitis. Another prospective, randomized multicenter trial conducted by Garcia-Marin et al. in 2020 showed that triclosan-coated barbed suture (STRATAFIX™ Symmetric PDS™, Johnson \& Johnson) used for closure of the abdominal fascia after emergent midline laparotomy reduced the incidence of SSI and acute evisceration compared to standard fascial closure techniques using triclosan-coated polydioxanone suture (PDS™ Plus, Johnson \& Johnson) and non-coated polydioxanone (PDS™, Johnson \& Johnson) suture. However, these studies focused on specific patient populations, and their findings may not be directly generalizable to patients with traumatic injuries or emergent general surgical conditions in the United States, which highlights the need for further investigation.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of triclosan-coated barbed suture compared to conventional non-barbed suture in reducing the rates of incisional SSI and fascial dehiscence (FD) within 30 days after abdominal fascial closure following emergency exploratory laparotomy. The study population will consist of adult patients presenting to Los Angeles General Medical Center who require emergent laparotomy for traumatic injuries or acute intraabdominal pathology. The study will employ a prospective, single-blinded randomized control trial methodology, with Los Angeles General Medical Center serving as the sole participating site.

Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to either the treatment group receiving triclosan-coated barbed suture or the control group receiving conventional non-barbed suture for abdominal fascial closure. The closure technique for both groups will follow standard practice guidelines, including a 4:1 length of suture to wound ratio with small bites of tissue less than 1 cm from the fascial edge.

Postoperatively, patients will be closely monitored for the occurrence of surgical site infections, fascial dehiscence, and other predefined outcomes of interest. This monitoring will continue for 30 days or until discharge, whichever comes first. Comprehensive data, including patient demographics, clinical characteristics, surgical details, and outcomes, will be collected from electronic medical records and other relevant sources.

The collected data will undergo rigorous statistical analysis to compare the outcomes between the treatment and control groups. Appropriate statistical tests will be employed to evaluate the effectiveness of triclosan-coated barbed suture in reducing the incidence of incisional SSI and fascial dehiscence, along with assessing secondary outcomes and patient-centered endpoints.

The study will adhere to ethical considerations, ensuring patient confidentiality and privacy. Approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) will be obtained, and the study will comply with all applicable regulations and guidelines. Informed consent for participation in the study will be obtained from the patient or a legal authorized representative.

The findings of this study have the potential to enhance evidence-based practices and aid surgical decision-making in emergency settings. By comparing the efficacy of triclosan-coated barbed suture and conventional non-barbed suture, the study aims to provide valuable insights into reducing the rates of incisional SSI and fascial dehiscence, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs associated with these complications.