1116 Staples vs. Sutures for Skin Closure in Patients Who Had Hip Arthroplasty for Treatment of a Neck of Femur Fracture

Aim Following an arthroplasty procedure (hemi and total) for fractured neck of femur, the incision can be closed with sutures or clips, depending on surgeon’s preference. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of complications when comparing skin closure with staples vs. sutures in patients who have had a hip arthroplasty for treatment of neck of femur fractures. Method We analysed the numbers of patients who had further procedures following a hip arthroplasty. We compared the 2 groups for numbers and types of further procedures. A retrospective study which looked at neck of femur fracture patients who were treated with a hip arthroplasty within a 1-year period. We looked at the type of skin closure used during the operation and if any of these patients needed to have a further procedure such as a washout, DAIR or revision surgery. Results A total of 372 patients were studied. 247 had a hemiarthroplasty and 125 had a total hip replacement. There was no statistical difference in the patient’s demographics (age and sex). Of the 128 patients that had skin closure with staples, 7 of them required further procedures (5.5%), while of the 244 patients had skin closure with sutures, 4 of them required further procedures (1.6%). Conclusions Skin closure using sutures is associated with a much lower risk of surgical site infection and further procedures when compared to skin closure with staples in neck of femur fracture patients who have been treated with a hip arthroplasty.