Impact of Whole-Layer Barbed Suture Closure on the Postoperative Effect and Aesthetic Satisfaction with Incision After Knee Arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of whole-layer barbed suture for incision closure on the clinical outcome and aesthetic satisfaction of patients with the incision following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 94 patients (37 men and 57 women, 50–84 years old) who underwent a first TKA between May 2018 and April 2021. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups according to the suture mode, with 45 cases (group A) receiving closure of the deep tissue with a barbed suture and intradermal suture of the incision with another barbed suture and 49 cases (group B) receiving closure of the deep tissue with absorbable suture and interrupted suture of the incision with nonabsorbable suture. Further comparisons were performed regarding incision length, suture time, postoperative incision complications, Hollander Wound Evaluation Score (HWES), Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, American Knee Society (AKS) score, and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). The clinical effects of the two suture modes in TKA and the patients’ aesthetic satisfaction with the incision were also evaluated at 2 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after the operation. RESULTS: Compared with group B, group A had higher HWES at 2 weeks after the operation (P < 0.05), shorter suture times (P < 0.05) and lower POSAS scores at 3 and 6 months after the operation (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in incision length, complication rate, HSS or AKS scores (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with the interrupted suture, the use of whole-layer barbed suture for incision closure after TKA has the advantages of a safe and effective outcome, short operation time, high cosmesis degree of the wound scar and high patient satisfaction.