Noninvasive Adhesive Retention Suture Device and Postoperative Wound Complications after Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery

Abstract

Postoperative wound complications adversely impact both the quality and cost of health care delivery. However, in an era of increasing cost containment, products currently available to mitigate such complications are either invasive, or cost prohibitive. Noninvasive Adhesive Retention Suture Devices (ARSDs) were designed to transfer tension away from the surgical incision, improving perfusion, epithelial differentiation, and wound healing. The purpose of the present study was to assess the incidence of wound complications in patients who underwent reconstructive foot and ankle surgery with closure using a noninvasive ARSD's, Hemiguard. One hundred & thirty patients at a single institution who underwent reconstructive surgery with closure using ARSD's between November 2021 to 2022 were assessed. Primary outcomes included: delayed wound healing, dehiscence, infection, and reoperation. A minimum follow-up of 6-months was required for inclusion. Overall, 19 complications occurred in 131 patients (15%): 1 erythema (0.5%), 12 delayed wound healing (9.2%), 4 dehiscence (3.1%), and 2 SSI's (1.5%). Reoperation was uncommon, with 6 procedures performed in 4 patients for delayed wound healing (n=2), dehiscence (n=1), and deep infection (n=1). Postoperative complication(s) was associated with a history of diabetes, and tobacco use. Noninvasive ARSD's represent a new, simple, cost-effective strategy to mitigate wound complications following reconstructive foot & ankle surgery. Additional randomized and comparative studies are warranted.

Keywords

• Level IV
• Retrospective case-series