Page 60 - Read Online

Original Article Plastic and Aesthetic Research

Comperative analysis of unilateral

cleft lip closure using absorbable and

nonabsorbable sutures: a randomised

clinical study

Abhay Nilkanth Datarkar, Darshan Rewanwar, Anshul Rai
Department of Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery, Child Hospital and Research Institute, Nagpur 440013, Maharashtra, India.

Address for correspondence: Dr. Abhay Nilkanth Datarkar, 53, Shriansh Pandurang, Gawande Nagar, Near Pratap Nagar, Nagpur 440022,
Maharashtra, India. E-mail: abhaydatarkar@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Aim: Patients with cleft lip usually undergo multiple procedures that require hospitalization resulting in
emotional stress to their family members. Young patients often require sedation or general anesthesia (GA)
for suture removal on a sensitive area to prevent disruption of the repair. In this study, we compared
absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures for primary cleft lip repair. Methods: Patients with cleft lip who
presented to Smile Train Unit, Child Hospital and Research Institute, Nagpur, India, were randomly
assigned to two groups and underwent surgical repair using either Vicryl Rapid suture (Group 1) or
Prolene suture (Group 2). Patients were followed up at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. Photographs of
the patients were obtained at these visits and rated using a validated 100-mm cosmesis visual analogue
scale (VAS) by three people (social worker, surgeon, and patient’s mother). A VAS score of 15 mm or
greater was considered as clinically important difference. Results: A total of 60 patients were enrolled
in this study, and they were equally divided into two groups. There was no difference in age, race,
sex, wound length, number of sutures, and layered repair rates between the groups. The average age
of the patient was 3 months. There was no significant difference in the rates of infection which was 6%
in this study, wound dehiscence, and hypertrophic scar formation. No significant difference was found
in cosmetic outcome in both the mean VAS score of 90.3 in Group 1 and 91.7 in Group 2. Conclusion:
Absorbable sutures are a viable alternative to nonabsorbable sutures in the repair of primary cleft lip
repair. We prefer absorbable sutures because they do not require removal under GA or sedation.
Key words:
Absorbable sutures, primary cleft lip, visual analogue scale

INTRODUCTION The earliest attempts at cleft lip repair in China involved
creating the raw edges and passing straight needles
[1]
Cleft lip and cleft palate are the most common craniofacial through each side of the wound. The advent of modern
abnormalities seen worldwide. The prevalence of these suture materials and improved surgical techniques
anomalies ranges from 1:300–1200 live births for cleft resulted in acceptable aesthetic outcome. These
[2]
lip and 1:2500 for cleft palate. The history of surgical congenital deformities have a significant psychological and
[1]
and aesthetic outcomes of cleft lip repair is fascinating. socioeconomic effect on both the patient and their family.
It often leads to disruption of psychosocial functioning
Access this article online and decreased quality of life. [3]
Quick Response Code:
Website: Current surgical repair involves anatomical dissection and
www.parjournal.net geometric rearrangement of muscle, mucosa, and skin flaps
to achieve an improved functional and cosmetic result.
DOI: The type of suture material used in surgery has been a
10.4103/2347-9264.139700 long‑standing debate among surgeons. Many surgeons
prefer nonabsorbable suture material as it is easier to
54 Plast Aesthet Res || Vol 1 || Issue 2 || Sep 2014