Quantification of Erythema Associated With Varying Suture Materials in Facial Surgery Repair: A Randomized Prospective Study.

Background: A common concern among patients following Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is scar appearance and residual erythema. However, few studies have quantitatively compared scar erythema between different suture materials.

Objective: To quantify erythema intensity (EI) associated with use of percutaneous nylon, irradiated polyglactin-910 (IPG) and fast-absorbing gut (FG) sutures on facial sites.

Methods: After undergoing MMS, 210 patients were randomized to one of 2 groups. Patients in the first group (n = 105) had their defects repaired half with continuous IPG sutures and the other half with nylon sutures; the second group (n = 105) received IPG and FG sutures. Standardized photographs of scars were taken at 1 week, 2 months, and 6 months postoperatively and computer-assisted image analysis was used to quantify EI.

Results: The average EI was comparable between all 3 suture materials at 1 week, 2 months, and 6 months. From 1 week to 2 months, EI in nylon, IPG, and FG sutures decreased by 24.8%, 12.8%, and 17.9% (p < .05), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in EI among suture types between 2 and 6 months.

Conclusion: Erythema decreased significantly during early scar maturation in all groups and was comparable between all suture materials at 1 week, 2 months, and 6 months.