Comparison of graft edge scar scores and related indices using simple continuous sutures versus staplers in burn surgery sites

Background and Objective Burns create serious injuries which currently exist as widespread problems across the globe because they result in high death rates and permanent disabilities and economic burdens, especially in developing nations. The researchers investigated how burn wounds healed through two different methods which used continuous sutures and staplers to create wound closures that would reduce post-burn scarring and deformities. Materials and Methods The clinical trial recruited 60 patients who received wound edge closure treatment through either staplers or simple continuous sutures. The study measured variables across a 10 cm graft edge. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) assessment took place at one month and three month post-surgery by a physician who did not participate in the research and a plastic surgery professor. Results The average age of the study participants calculated to 44.63 years with a standard deviation of 18.67 years. The study found no significant age weight height BMI itching infection or graft loss differences between the two groups ( p > 0.05). VSS scores showed significant differences between the two groups at one and three months because the stapler group achieved higher scores ( p < 0.05). The paired t -tests showed that study participants experienced significant changes in their scar scores between month one and month three. The stapler group needed less time for graft closure (p < 0.05) while they also required less time to remove staplers than to take out sutures. Conclusion The Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) regression analysis found that group type stapler/suture and graft location together with measurement time constituted important factors that determined scar score outcomes. The suture group achieved a mean scar score that measured 2.04 units lower than the stapler group. The scar scores experienced a decline of 0.83 units at the end of three months. The trunk graft patients showed scar scores that measured 1.45 units less than the head/face graft patients.