Randomised Control Trial Of Steri Strips Versus Subcuticular Suturing In Skin Closure Of Open Inguinal Hernia

Abstract

Background and objectives The skin closure with steri strips can reduce the complications like wound infection. The present study was aimed to compare the frequency of post operative wound infection by steri strips and subcuticular suturing in open inguinal hernia skin closure. Methodology The one year present hospital based randomized controlled trial was carried out in the Department of General Surgery, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum from January 2015 to December 2015. A total of 60 patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair were enrolled. These patients were randomly allocated into two groups based on simple randomization that is Group A (subcuticular skin closure group) and Group B (skin closure was done by steri strips). Results The clinical and demographic characteristics of the study population that is, sex, Mean Age, weight, pulse rate, systolic BP, and dialostic BP did not differ significantly in group B and group A (p>0.050). All the patients in group A and group B had Swelling in inguinal region (100%). Most of the patients in group A and group B had Right inguinal hernia (46.67%) (p=0.748) while 56.67% of the patients in group A (56.67%) and group B (53.33%) had indirect hernia (p=0.795). The mean duration of surgery was significantly less in group B (64.00 ± 2.32 minutes) compared to group A (69.3 ± 7.28 minutes) (p<0.001). The rate of post operative wound infection including swelling (p=0.148), fever (p=0.421), redness (p=0.148) and discharge (p=0.421) were comparable in Group A and Group B. Conclusion and interpretation There is no statistical significance of wound infection in either of groups i.e subcuticular skin suturing group (Group A) & Steri Strips group (Group B). The study probably will need a larger sample size.