Five year experience with tape closure of abdominal wounds.

This study is a retrospective, five year analysis of 350 wounds from intra-abdominal operations, using Steri-Strip (3M) skin closures as the sole method of skin closure. No subcutaneous or subcuticular sutures were used. The average age of the patients was 53.5 years, and the average duration of follow-up study was 194 days. The rate of wound infection was 1.14 per cent, far lower than that in any other historical trails used for comparison. The over-all complication rate that was attributed solely to the method of skin closure was 4.57 per cent. This compares favorably with those in historical trials. Advantages of a taped skin closure are lower rates of infection and over-all morbidity, a lower cost and a reduction in time in the operating room when compared with conventional methods. Foreign body granulomas and cellulitis are avoided. Strangulation and necrosis of tissue are eliminated because of gentle handling of tissue. Needle puncture marks and suture canal scarring are eliminated. These factors lead to a better cosmetic result.