The use of skin suturing with an absorbable thread in pediatric neurosurgery

Abstract

The use of skin sutures using an absorbable thread (Vicryl Rapide), often used in orthopedics and plastic surgery, was discussed from the viewpoint of pediatric neurosurgery. The galea aponeurotica, not the dermis, is usually sutured to protect hair follicles. In contrast, nylon threads or skin staplers are generally used as skin sutures. These require that the threads and staples must be removed after healing. During this process, considering both pain-control and the movement of the child is necessary. The use of skin stapling tapes, such as Steri-Strip, has the advantage of not requiring suture removal. However, because of their lack of strength, they are limited to shallow, tension-free wounds. At our hospital, except for a part of the implantation of cerebral spinal fluid shunt systems and foreign bodies, such as an Ommaya reservoir, which is expected to cause spinal fluid leakage, we have experienced that the use of Vicryl Rapide for skin sutures after suturing the galea aponeurotica (in the back, among others, for skin suture after dermal suture) reduces stress on pediatric patients at the time of suture removal. Furthermore, there were no cosmetic problems or infection.