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Not yet recruitingNCT06543329Updated Aug 9, 2024

Comparative Analysis of Subcuticular Suture Materials in Cesarean Section

An interventional study of polyglactin 910 and poliglecaprone 25 in Cesarean Wound Disruption With Postnatal Complication, sponsored by Cairo University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Egypt. Open to female participants aged 20 Years to 45 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-08-09.

Sponsored by Cairo University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care

From the registry’s dates

  • Primary completion was expected by Jul 2025, 1 year 2 months ago, but the record still lists the study as not yet recruiting.
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
300
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
20 Years to 45 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

1.1. Background and Rationale Cesarean section is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. The choice of suture material for closing the skin incision is crucial, as it can influence wound healing, the risk of wound complications, and the cosmetic outcome. Subcuticular suturing, a technique where the suture is placed just under the skin, is favored for its aesthetic benefits and reduced risk of infection. However, the type of suture material used can significantly impact these outcomes. This study aims to provide a comparative analysis of various subcuticular suture materials used in cesarean sections, focusing on wound complications and incision outcomes.

1.2. Objective of the Study The objective of this study is to compare the incidence of wound complications and the quality of incision outcomes associated with different subcuticular suture materials used in cesarean sections. By doing so, the investigators aim to identify the most effective suture material for minimizing wound complications and optimizing cosmetic results.

Read the detailed description

2.1. Surgical Techniques in Cesarean Section Cesarean section involves multiple surgical steps, including skin incision, uterine incision, and closure of the incisions. The subcuticular suturing technique is often preferred for skin closure due to its potential for better cosmetic results and lower infection rates compared to other methods like staples or interrupted sutures.

2.2. Types of Suture Materials

Suture materials can be broadly categorized into absorbable and non-absorbable, and further into monofilament and multifilament types. Common suture materials used in subcuticular skin closure include:

Absorbable Sutures: Poliglecaprone (Monocryl), Polyglactin (Vicryl), Polydioxanone (PDS).

Non-Absorbable Sutures: Nylon, Polypropylene (Prolene), Silk. 2.3. Previous Studies on Suture Materials in Cesarean Section Previous studies have explored the impact of different suture materials on wound healing, infection rates, and cosmetic outcomes. Research indicates varying results, with some studies favoring absorbable sutures for their reduced need for removal and lower infection rates, while others suggest non-absorbable sutures may provide stronger wound support. However, comprehensive comparative analyses specific to cesarean sections remain limited.

  1. Methodology 3.1. Study Design This study will use a prospective, randomized controlled trial design. Participants undergoing elective cesarean sections will be randomly assigned to receive subcuticular suturing with one of several suture materials.
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Conditions studied

  • Cesarean Wound Disruption With Postnatal Complication

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Keywords

  • cesarean section
  • wound complication
  • obesity
  • monocryl
  • vicryl
  • prolene
  • polyester
03

In context

Wounds and Injuries

5,056 studies on the registry are indexed under Wounds and Injuries; 861 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 300 is above the median of 52 across 3,239 interventional studies indexed under Wounds and Injuries.

Browse Wounds and Injuries studies →

Lead sponsor

Cairo University is the lead sponsor of 4,780 studies on the registry; 1,427 are open to participants now.

Of its 36 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 5 (14%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
20 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  1. Women aged 20-45 years old.
  2. BMI = or more than 40 kg/m2
  3. Primigravida or not more than the previous 1 cesarean section.
  4. Will undergo a lower-segment cesarean section.
  5. Hb: ≥ 10 gm/dl.
  6. Viable fetus.
  7. No history of medical comorbidities.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. History of urogenital tract infection within 2 weeks before cesarean delivery.
  2. Presence of clinical signs of infection at the time of delivery including PPROM and intraamniotic infection.
  3. Medical comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, etc.).
  4. Hypersensitivity to any of the suture materials.
  5. Women with abnormal placentation (placental abruption or placenta previa).
  6. History of systemic corticosteroid intake during their pregnancy for 2 weeks or more.
  7. History of previous surgical site infection.
  8. Immune-compromised women.
  9. Women refused to participate in the study or could not obtain consent.
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Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
300 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    polyglactin 910

    - Group A: (75) women with subcuticular suture polyglactin 910, braided, (VICRYL RAPIDE®; Ethicon) was used in subcuticular skin closure.

    Procedure: polyglactin 910

  • Active comparator
    poliglecaprone 25

    Group A: (75) women with subcuticular suture poliglecaprone 25, (MONOCRYL) was used in subcuticular skin closure.

    Procedure: poliglecaprone 25

  • Active comparator
    polypropylene

    Group A: (75) women with subcuticular suture polypropylene, (PROLENE) was used in subcuticular skin closure.

    Procedure: polypropylene

  • Active comparator
    POLYESTER

    Group A: (75) women with subcuticular suture POLYESTER, (ETHIBOND EXCEL Suture) was used in subcuticular skin closure.

    Procedure: polyester

Interventions

  • Procedurepolyglactin 910

    75 PARTICIPANT, Vicryl suture was used in subcuticular suture

    Also known as: VICRYL

  • Procedurepoliglecaprone 25

    75 PARTICIPANT, monocryl suture was used in subcuticular suture

    Also known as: monocryl

  • Procedurepolypropylene

    75 PARTICIPANT, Prolene suture was used in subcuticular suture

    Also known as: prolene

  • Procedurepolyester

    75 PARTICIPANT, Polyester suture was used in subcuticular suture

    Also known as: ETHIBOND EXCEL Suture

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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. the rate of any documented wound complication during the first six weeks postpartum

    This measure tracks the incidence of wound complications within six weeks postpartum, including infection, dehiscence, seroma, hematoma, ecchymosis, pus, delayed healing, and secondary suture needs. Measurement Tools: Clinical examinations during follow-up visits Patient self-reports Review of medical records Assessment Procedure: Patients will undergo follow-up visits at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postpartum. Complications will be documented through clinical exams, patient reports, and medical record reviews. Calculation: The rate is calculated as the number of patients with any wound complication divided by the total number of patients, expressed as a percentage.

    Time frame: 6 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. cosmetics satisfaction

    This measure assesses the cosmetic appearance of surgical wounds post-abdominal myomectomy. Measurement Tool: A standardized cosmetic appearance scale will be used, such as the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). Assessment Procedure: Evaluations will be conducted at follow-up visits (2, 4, and 6 weeks postpartum) by both the patient and a clinician. Parameters Assessed: Scar color, texture, and overall appearance Patient satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome Calculation: Scores from the POSAS will be averaged to determine the overall cosmetic appearance rating.

    Time frame: 6 weeks

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Study locations

1 site
  • faculty of medicine, Kasr el ainy hospital, Cairo university
    Cairo, 11562, Egypt
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References and documents

Publications

  • Rodel RL, Gray KM, Quiner TE, Bodea Braescu A, Gerkin R, Perlow JH. Cesarean wound closure in body mass index 40 or greater comparing suture to staples: a randomized clinical trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2021 Jan;3(1):100271. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2020.100271. Epub 2020 Oct 27. PubMed 33451603 ↗
  • Basha SL, Rochon ML, Quinones JN, Coassolo KM, Rust OA, Smulian JC. Randomized controlled trial of wound complication rates of subcuticular suture vs staples for skin closure at cesarean delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Sep;203(3):285.e1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.07.011. PubMed 20816153 ↗
  • Frishman GN, Schwartz T, Hogan JW. Closure of Pfannenstiel skin incisions. Staples vs. subcuticular suture. J Reprod Med. 1997 Oct;42(10):627-30. PubMed 9350017 ↗
  • Clay FS, Walsh CA, Walsh SR. Staples vs subcuticular sutures for skin closure at cesarean delivery: a metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011 May;204(5):378-83. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.11.018. Epub 2010 Dec 31. PubMed 21195384 ↗
  • Tuuli MG, Rampersad RM, Carbone JF, Stamilio D, Macones GA, Odibo AO. Staples compared with subcuticular suture for skin closure after cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Mar;117(3):682-690. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31820ad61e. Erratum In: Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Jun;117(6):1440. PubMed 21343772 ↗
  • Nayak G B, Saha PK, Bagga R, Joshi B, Rohilla M, Gainder S, Sikka P. Wound complication among different skin closure techniques in the emergency cesarean section: a randomized control trial. Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2020 Jan;63(1):27-34. doi: 10.5468/ogs.2020.63.1.27. Epub 2019 Dec 23. PubMed 31970125 ↗
  • Aabakke AJM, Krebs L, Pipper CB, Secher NJ. Subcuticular suture compared with staples for skin closure after cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Oct;122(4):878-884. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182a5f0c3. PubMed 24084548 ↗
  • Buresch AM, Van Arsdale A, Ferzli M, Sahasrabudhe N, Sun M, Bernstein J, Bernstein PS, Ngai IM, Garry DJ. Comparison of Subcuticular Suture Type for Skin Closure After Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Sep;130(3):521-526. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002200. PubMed 28796687 ↗
  • Figueroa D, Jauk VC, Szychowski JM, Garner R, Biggio JR, Andrews WW, Hauth J, Tita AT. Surgical staples compared with subcuticular suture for skin closure after cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Jan;121(1):33-8. doi: 10.1097/aog.0b013e31827a072c. Erratum In: Obstet Gynecol. 2013 May;121(5):1113. PubMed 23262925 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 9, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06543329
Lead sponsor
Cairo University
Collaborators
Kafrelsheikh University
Responsible party
ahmed nagy shaker ramadan (lecturer, Cairo University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Aug 9, 2024
Start date
Aug 1, 2024 (estimated)
Primary completion
Jul 31, 2025 (estimated)
Completion
Aug 30, 2025 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 9, 2024

Study contacts

Ahmed N Afifi, MD
Contact
dr_nagy.ahmed@yahoo.com
01098670624
Ahmed N Afifi, MD
principal investigator · Kafrelsheikh University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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