Suture Techniques for Traumatic Wound Closure in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review of Cosmetic, Functional, and Infection-Related Outcomes

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of alternative wound closure techniques, specifically wound tapes and tissue adhesives, versus traditional suturing in the management of traumatic lacerations in emergency departments. After screening 220 records from databases including PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar, three randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Across the studies, outcomes assessed included wound closure time, infection and dehiscence rates, and cosmetic or scar-related results. The findings indicate that alternative methods such as wound tape and tissue adhesives offer similar, and in some cases improved, cosmetic outcomes and significantly reduced wound closure times compared to sutures, particularly in low-tension or facial wounds. Infection and dehiscence rates were comparable across interventions. The overall quality of the included studies was satisfactory, with two studies rated as low risk of bias. These findings suggest that in select clinical contexts, particularly where time efficiency and patient comfort are priorities, non-suture methods can be a viable alternative without compromising safety or aesthetic outcomes.