Barbed Versus Standard Sutures for Closure in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Prospective Randomized Trial

411 patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomized to receive either barbed running or knotted interrupted suture closure, with the purpose of comparing these two different layered closure techniques. The use of barbed running sutures resulted in shorter closing time and reduced cost. Aside from experiencing more intra-operative broken sutures, the barbed running group achieved similar complication rates, Knee Society scores, cosmesis, and patient satisfaction compared to standard knotted suture closure.