Postoperative Outcomes of Absorbable versus Nonabsorbable Sutures in Trigger Finger Release Closure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Study Summary

5 studies including patients undergoing trigger finger release were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing absorbable versus nonabsorbable sutures for skin closure. Pooled outcomes of interest included wound dehiscence, surgical site infection, postoperative antibiotic use, and overall wound problems. Nonabsorbable sutures were associated with significantly greater odds of wound dehiscence, while infection and antibiotic use did not differ significantly between groups. Conversely, sensitivity analysis showed significantly fewer overall wound problems with nonabsorbable sutures. Overall, the findings suggested that suture choice may influence specific postoperative wound outcomes, although the limited and heterogeneous evidence precluded a definitive preference for one material.