Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40473789›Full record

Trial reportAesthetic plastic surgery2026

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparison of Subcuticular Suture and Adhesive Strip for Cosmetic Outcome in Median Sternotomy Closure in Patient Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

Suphach Songvasin, Kengkart Winaikosol, Chananya Karunasumetta

Abstract readRandomized Controlled TrialComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Aesthetic plastic surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Suphach SongvasinCardiothoracic Surgery, Srinagarind Hospital and Queen Sirikit Heart Center of the Northeast, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Kengkart WinaikosolPlastic Surgery, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Chananya KarunasumettaCardiothoracic Surgery, Srinagarind Hospital and Queen Sirikit Heart Center of the Northeast, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Chananyaka@kku.ac.th.ORCID 0000-0003-2970-467X

Funding

Faculty of medicine, Khon Kaen University IN63305
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe median sternotomy incision is a common approach in cardiac surgery, often leading to noticeable scar formation that can impact patients' quality of life. This study aims to compare outcomes between subcuticular suture and adhesive strip (Steri-stripTM, 3M HealthCare®) closure techniques for median sternotomy incisions in cardiac surgery patients.

methodsIn this prospective randomized controlled trial, 112 patients undergoing cardiac surgery (August 2020 to September 2021) were assigned to either the adhesive strip or subcuticular suture group. Wound assessments occurred on postoperative days 3, 7, and before discharge, monitoring for infection and dehiscence. Follow-ups at 1-2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months used scar scales, including Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), Manchester Scar Scale (MSS), and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).

resultsOut of a total of 112 patients, 6 were excluded. All remaining patients were completely followed up. No significant differences were observed in VSS, MSS, POSAS outcomes, or wound complications during postoperative follow-ups. Adhesive strip closure took 0.49 minutes, significantly less than 7.27 minutes for subcuticular sutures (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the total cost of adhesive strips was lower than the subcuticular suture group.

conclusionThe adhesive strips application for skin closure of median sternotomy wounds was found to be non-inferior to subcuticular sutures in terms of clinical outcomes and postoperative wound complications. Additionally, this approach resulted in reduced operative time and proved to be cost-effective in hospital care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Indexed as

Cardiac Surgical ProceduresCicatrixSternotomySuturesSuture TechniquesAgedEstheticsFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesTreatment OutcomeWound HealingAdhesive stripCosmeticMedian sternotomySubcuticular suture

Identifiers

PMID40473789

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.