Comparative Analysis of Wound Complications Rates between Adhesive Strips and Staples in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Background: Superficial wound complications occur in up to 10% of total knee arthroplasties and have been implicated in peri-prosthetic joint infections Research has demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of adhesive strips in the closure of surgical wounds in orthopedic surgery and other surgical specialties. However, research is limited, and data comparing wound complications from adhesive strips and staples are scarce. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the rates of superficial wound complications between patients who received adhesive strips and those who received staples for skin wound closure after primary total knee arthroplasty. Method: Patients were divided into two groups, Group A received skin closure with adhesive strips while Group B received skin closure with skin staples. The wounds were inspected for erythema, purulent discharge, dehiscence, or peri-incisional blistering at week 1, week 2, and week 6, respectively. Results: Erythema was present in 11.5% and 23.1% of the adhesive strips and staple group, respectively, at 1 week. This was noted to have resolved completely in the adhesive strip group by the 2 nd week but reduced to 11.5% in the staple group at 6 weeks. Peri-incisional blistering was noted in this study to be higher in the adhesive strip group (8.3%) than in the skin staple group (3.8%), though not statistically significant. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the wound complication rates between the two skin closure methods.