Background and aims: New techniques for skin closure that minimize tissue inflammation and avoid foreign material may decrease morbidity following saphenous vein harvesting. The 3M Steri-Strip S surgical skin closure system is a new, noninvasive method of wound closure, which consists of polymeric components coated with a pressure-sensitive skin adhesive. This prospective, randomized study was undertaken to compare the results of the noninvasive skin closure method to the traditional subcuticular skin closure technique on saphenous vein harvest sites.
Methods: Twenty-six patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery with saphenous vein harvesting were prospectively randomized to skin closure using 3M Steri-Strip S Surgical Skin Closure System or subcuticular suture closure with a skin sealant. Wounds were evaluated on postoperative days 7 and 2l for erythema, edema, pain, cosmesis, and the time taken to close the incision.
Results: Skin closure with 3M Steri-Strip S was significantly faster, resulted in significantly less erythema, edema, and significantly improved cosmesis.
Conclusions: 3M Steri-Strip S Skin Closure improves wound healing of saphenous vein sites, compared to traditional subcuticular skin closure techniques.