Trial Outcomes & Findings for Cesarean Trial of Staples vs. Sutures (NCT NCT01211600)

NCT ID: NCT01211600

Last Updated: 2019-11-26

Results Overview

The primary outcome is to evaluate the rate of wound complications for patients undergoing cesarean whose skin incision is closed with staples versus with suture. Wound complications included infection, hematoma, seroma, and separation and readmission for wound complication.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

746 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Within 6 weeks of postpartum

Results posted on

2019-11-26

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Suture
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Overall Study
STARTED
370
376
Overall Study
COMPLETED
370
376
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Cesarean Trial of Staples vs. Sutures

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Total
n=746 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
31.0 years
n=99 Participants
31.0 years
n=107 Participants
31.0 years
n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
370 Participants
n=99 Participants
376 Participants
n=107 Participants
746 Participants
n=206 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
0 Participants
n=107 Participants
0 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
African American
158 Participants
n=99 Participants
167 Participants
n=107 Participants
325 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Caucasian
162 Participants
n=99 Participants
154 Participants
n=107 Participants
316 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Hispanic
19 Participants
n=99 Participants
24 Participants
n=107 Participants
43 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian
16 Participants
n=99 Participants
22 Participants
n=107 Participants
38 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Other
15 Participants
n=99 Participants
8 Participants
n=107 Participants
23 Participants
n=206 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Unknown
0 Participants
n=99 Participants
1 Participants
n=107 Participants
1 Participants
n=206 Participants
Pregnancy History - Singleton Gestation
353 Participants
n=99 Participants
351 Participants
n=107 Participants
704 Participants
n=206 Participants
Number of Previous Cesareans
0 Previous Cesareans
180 Participants
n=99 Participants
177 Participants
n=107 Participants
357 Participants
n=206 Participants
Number of Previous Cesareans
1 Previous Cesarean
120 Participants
n=99 Participants
132 Participants
n=107 Participants
252 Participants
n=206 Participants
Number of Previous Cesareans
More than 1 Previous Cesarean
70 Participants
n=99 Participants
67 Participants
n=107 Participants
137 Participants
n=206 Participants
Term Gestation
317 Participants
n=99 Participants
329 Participants
n=107 Participants
646 Participants
n=206 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Within 6 weeks of postpartum

The primary outcome is to evaluate the rate of wound complications for patients undergoing cesarean whose skin incision is closed with staples versus with suture. Wound complications included infection, hematoma, seroma, and separation and readmission for wound complication.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Number of Participants With Wound Complications
Total patients with at least 1 wound complicatin
18 Participants
40 Participants
Number of Participants With Wound Complications
Infection
9 Participants
14 Participants
Number of Participants With Wound Complications
Hematoma
2 Participants
4 Participants
Number of Participants With Wound Complications
Seroma
5 Participants
6 Participants
Number of Participants With Wound Complications
Separation
6 Participants
28 Participants
Number of Participants With Wound Complications
Readmission for wound complication
2 Participants
3 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Immediately postpartum and 4 - 8 weeks after intervention, up to 12 weeks.

Patient evaluation of cosmesis of the cesarean incision based on closure method: staples vs sutures. Surgical scars were evaluated using Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS). The PSAS evaluates six items: pain, itchiness, color, stiffness, thickness, and irregularity. Each item is scored on a 10-point scale comparing the patient's skin to normal skin, in which one represents normal skin. The score is summed, range 6-60. Lower scores indicate closer resemblance to normal skin and are superior.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=286 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=291 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Patient Scar Assessment Scale Scores for Evaluation of Cosmesis
15 score on a scale
Interval 10.0 to 25.0
20 score on a scale
Interval 11.0 to 28.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Immediately postpartum and 4 - 8 weeks after intervention, up to 12 weeks.

Population: Patient satisfaction data were available for 606 participants. Two participants in the Staples arm did not provide scores for scar appearance satisfaction. This is why we are representing 305 of the 307 subjects' responses to satisfaction of scar appearance.

Whether the patient's satisfaction with the incision differed based on closure method (staples vs sutures) using 10-point Likert scale on which 1 is completely dissatisfied and 10 is completely satisfied.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=307 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=299 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Patient Satisfaction With Closure Method and Scar Appearance
Satisfaction with Closure Method
9 score on a scale
Interval 6.0 to 10.0
10 score on a scale
Interval 9.0 to 10.0
Patient Satisfaction With Closure Method and Scar Appearance
Satisfaction with Scar Appearance
9 score on a scale
Interval 7.0 to 10.0
9 score on a scale
Interval 8.0 to 10.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Immediately postpartum to time of discharge, which is typically 3-4 days post-cesarean

Whether the patient's perception of pain associated with the incision differed based on closure method (staples vs sutures). Patients were asked to rate pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme pain) using a visual graph of facial expressions.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Pain Perception
Less than 24 hours
3.5 score on a scale
Interval 2.0 to 5.0
3.6 score on a scale
Interval 2.2 to 5.0
Pain Perception
24 - 47 hours
4.3 score on a scale
Interval 3.5 to 5.2
4.3 score on a scale
Interval 3.4 to 5.2
Pain Perception
48 - 72 hours
4.3 score on a scale
Interval 3.5 to 5.3
4.2 score on a scale
Interval 3.3 to 5.1
Pain Perception
Pain at time of Discharge
3.5 score on a scale
Interval 2.0 to 5.0
3.6 score on a scale
Interval 2.2 to 5.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Within 6 weeks postpartum

Population: The number analyzed in the "Number of visits - diagnosed wound complication" and "Number of visits - no diagnosed wound complication" rows indicates the breakdown of subjects within each arm that did and did not have a diagnosed wound complication.

Mean number of visits per participant (All wound visits, number of visits for women who were diagnosed with wound complications, number of visits for women who were not diagnosed with a wound complication).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Additional Provider Visits
All wound visits
.9 Number of Visits per participant
Interval 0.0 to 7.0
1.5 Number of Visits per participant
Interval 0.0 to 7.0
Additional Provider Visits
Number of visits - diagnosed wound complication
2.7 Number of Visits per participant
Interval 1.0 to 7.0
2.9 Number of Visits per participant
Interval 1.0 to 7.0
Additional Provider Visits
Number of visits - no diagnosed wound complication
.8 Number of Visits per participant
Interval 0.0 to 3.0
1.4 Number of Visits per participant
Interval 0.0 to 6.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At randomization.

Randomization stratum - BMI (over/under 30) and Cesarean (primary or repeat)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Number of Participants With Primary Versus Repeat Cesarean
BMI less than 30 - repeat cesarean delivery
64 Participants
67 Participants
Number of Participants With Primary Versus Repeat Cesarean
BMI 30 or greater - repeat cesarean delivery
126 Participants
132 Participants
Number of Participants With Primary Versus Repeat Cesarean
BMI 30 or greater - primary cesarean delivery
109 Participants
106 Participants
Number of Participants With Primary Versus Repeat Cesarean
BMI less than 30 - primary cesarean delivery
71 Participants
71 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Time of Cesarean

Duration of operation: skin incision to skin closure Duration of skin closure: fascial closure to skin closure

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Intraoperative Trial Details - Duration of Operation and Skin Closure
Duration of Operation
58.5 Minutes
Interval 46.5 to 75.0
51 Minutes
Interval 40.0 to 65.0
Intraoperative Trial Details - Duration of Operation and Skin Closure
Duration of Skin Closure
15 Minutes
Interval 12.0 to 19.0
6 Minutes
Interval 4.0 to 9.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Time of Cesarean

Number of participants requiring subcutaneous tissue closure

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Intraoperative Trial Details - Closure of Subcutaneous Tissue
201 Participants
202 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Immediate postpartum.

Length of hospital stay (days)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Length of Hospital Stay
4.4 Days
Interval 1.0 to 8.0
4.5 Days
Interval 3.0 to 14.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Within 24 hours postpartum.

Number of participants that received anticoagulation within 24 hours of procedure (preoperatively or postoperatively)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Number of Participants That Received Anticoagulation Within 24 Hours
14 Participants
17 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Immediate postpartum.

Number of participants diagnosed with endomyometritis requiring antibiotics

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Number of Participants Diagnosed With Endomyometritis
11 Participants
7 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to 72 hours before and 24 hours after cesarean.

Median change in hemoglobin from preoperative value (g/dL) to post-operatively.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=370 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Change in Hemoglobin Pre-operatively to Post-operatively
-1.8 g/dL
Interval -2.5 to -1.2
-1.8 g/dL
Interval -2.5 to -1.1

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Immediately postpartum and 4 - 8 weeks after intervention, up to 12 weeks.

Surgical scars were evaluated using Observer Scar Assessment Scale (OSAS). The OSAS evaluates five items: vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, relief, and pliability. Each item is scored on a 10-point scale comparing the patient's skin to normal skin, in which one represents normal skin. The score is summed, range 5-50. Lower scores indicate closer resemblance to normal skin and are superior.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Suture
n=137 Participants
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=138 Participants
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Observer Evaluation of Cosmesis of the Cesarean Incision Based on Closure Method: Staples vs Sutures.
12 score on a scale
Interval 9.0 to 15.0
13 score on a scale
Interval 9.0 to 16.0

Adverse Events

Suture

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 18 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Staples

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 40 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Suture
n=370 participants at risk
Subcuticular continuous suture (4-0 Monocryl Plus on PS2 needle or 4-0 Vicryl Plus on FS2 or PS2 needle)
Staples
n=376 participants at risk
Interrupted Ethicon Staples
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Wound Complications
4.9%
18/370 • Number of events 18 • Adverse events were monitored from the time of randomization to 30 days postpartum.
10.6%
40/376 • Number of events 40 • Adverse events were monitored from the time of randomization to 30 days postpartum.

Additional Information

Dr. A. Dhanya Mackeen

Geisinger

Phone: 570-714-1099

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place