Staples vs Sutures for Skin Closure After Total Hip Arthroplasty .
Wound complications after total hip arthroplasty: a prospective, randomised controlled trial comparing staples with sutures.
Hip Int . 2025 Jul;35(4):326-331.Five hundred thirty-five patients undergoing elective primary Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) were randomized to cutaneous closure with staples (n=268) or sutures (n=267). The primary outcome was SSI (<6 weeks). Secondary outcomes included prosthetic joint infection (PJI, <1 year), other wound complications (prolonged discharge, dehiscence, necrosis; <6 weeks), and length of stay. Outcomes were assessed during admission, at discharge, then at 2 weeks (removal), 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year. Overall, the results of the study revealed a higher—nearly significant—SSI rate with staples and a clearly higher rate of early wound complications, driven by prolonged discharge; PJI did not differ. These findings suggest sutures should be preferred for skin closure after THA.
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