Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Nylon and Chromic Gut Sutures After Minor Hand Surgery

Purpose We sought to compare overall satisfaction with treatment and satisfaction with initial wound healing after closure of office hand and upper extremity surgery wounds using polyamide compared to Chromic gut sutures. Methods We compared 62 patients randomized to polyamide suture closure of an office hand and upper extremity incision (mostly carpal tunnel release and trigger finger release) to 50 patients closed with Chromic gut suture. Patients rated overall treatment satisfaction, satisfaction with initial healing, pain intensity, and upper extremity–specific activity tolerance. Results Accounting for potential confounding in multivariable linear and logistic regression analysis, we found the following: (1) overall satisfaction with care was unrelated to suture type; (2) satisfaction with initial wound healing and appearance was lower among people with no other comorbidities, but unrelated to suture type; (3) there were no factors independently associated with pain intensity; and (4) excisional biopsy was associated with greater activity tolerance. Conclusions Our findings suggests that Chromic sutures are a viable alternative to polyamide sutures after office hand surgery, provided that the care team anticipates and develops strategies for concerns that may arise if the sutures take an extended period to fall off. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic II.