Evaluation of Emergency Suturing With Absorbable Versus Non-absorbable Suture Material in a Pediatric Population

The investigators recruit patients admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department of the Geneva's University Hospital with open wounds needing suture. The patients are treated with absorbable versus non-absorbable suture material according to randomization.

After obtaining the patient's/parent's consent and randomization, the suture material will be provided.

Selection of the size of the thread and the date of the first follow-up are determined as follows:

• Face: Thread size 5-0 to 7-0, first follow-up 4-7 days
• Torso/back: Thread size 4-0 or 5-0, first follow-up 10-14 days
• Arms: Thread size 4-0 or 5-0, first follow-up 7- 10 days
• Hand: Thread size 5-0 or 6-0, first follow-up 7-10 days
• Legs: Thread size 4-0 or 5-0, first follow-up 7-14 days

The patients are examined by in the outpatient wound clinic by specialised nurses under medical supervision at the first follow-up, and at six months by one of the investigators.

Outcomes:

• infection rate at the first follow-up (between 4 and 14 days, depending on the sutured site and defined by protocol)
• scar appearance at a 6-months follow-up.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient younger than 16 years of age with a wound requiring suture

Exclusion criteria

• Deep wounds with lesions of subcutaneous structures (tendons, nerves, etc.)
• Wounds with tissue loss
• Diabetic patients or patients treated with drugs potentially compromising cicatrization (e.g. steroids, immunosuppressors, etc.)
• Wounds caused by animal or human bites
• Sutures not performed in the emergency room
• Heavily soiled wounds