Comparative analysis of the therapeutic effects of cosmetic tension-reducing suturing technique and traditional suturing technique in 120 patients with maxillofacial trauma

To determine the beneficial effects of cosmetic tension-reducing suturing techniques in repairing maxillofacial trauma. A retrospective study was conducted on 120 patients with maxillofacial trauma, who presented to outpatient departments and emergencies from March to September 2024. Patients were divided into two groups equally. The experimental group (n = 60) was subjected to cosmetic tension-reducing suturing. The control group (n = 60) was subjected to traditional suturing. Evaluations targeted clinical outcomes, adverse event rates, patient satisfaction, and scar width and characteristics using the Scar Score- Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). Longer procedure times were noted in the experimental group, but there was less than 5% adverse event rate compared to 27% of the control group. By the fourth postoperative day, three patients in the experimental group exhibited localized inflammation and infection, which were resolved with secondary cleaning and closure, while all other wounds healed primarily. The experimental group showed a significant improvement of P < 0.05 in aesthetic-functional scores and the scar thickness reduced significantly. The application of cosmetic tension-reducing suturing techniques in maxillofacial trauma helps reduce complications and scar formation during the healing period, improves aesthetic outcomes and increases patient satisfaction. Therefore, it enhances the clinical applicability of these techniques.