Suture Edge Tension Control Technologies for Scar Improvement

Abstract

AbstractMechanotherapy of postoperative scarring is considered an effective measure to prevent pathological scars. Tension increases suture line enlargement, opening the way to infection. Several options have been proposed since decades and are currently used in practice, from adhesive sutures to adhesive dressings, reapproximation devices, and postoperative negative pressure. Closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) was recently proposed in at-risk patients, showing a significant difference in prevention of infection. These technologies offer a double effect of mechanical stabilization and aspiration of exudates and have recently been extended to different clinical indications. This chapter describes the recently developed technologies to diminish scar enlargement on a suture line and to prevent infection after extensive surgical procedures in thoracic, abdominal, plastic and orthopedic surgery.