Abstract
Lower extremity joint arthroplasty procedures often require a large incision to have
an adequate exposure, which subsequently leads to lengthy wounds that may contribute
to long closure, anesthesia, and overall operative times. The recently introduced
knotless barbed suture may provide better outcomes, faster closure time, and decreased
material utilization. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the impact of
barbed sutures on: (1) wound-related complications; (2) closure and operative time;
(3) patient outcomes (range of motion and Knee Society Scores [KSS]); and (4) effects
on cosmesis and patients' satisfaction. A literature search was performed using up
to February 2017. Barbed sutures were associated with shorter closure times, shorter
operative times, and larger cost savings per procedure as well as comparable wound
complication rates after total joint arthroplasty. Although the current review is
limited by the number of studies included, it demonstrates that overall, barbed sutures
contribute to surgical efficiency when compared with conventional skin closure modalities.
Keywords
barbed suture - wound closure - arthroplasty - outcomes - complications
