Trial Outcomes & Findings for Interrupted Subdermal Suture Spacing During Linear Wound Closures and the Effect on Wound Cosmesis (NCT NCT03327922)

Last Updated: 2026-03-13

Results Overview

The primary endpoint will be the score of two blinded reviewers using the patient observer scar assessment score (POSAS). The POSAS measures scar quality in all types of scars by evaluating visual (e.g. color), tactile (e.g. pliability) and sensory (e.g. itch) characteristics of the scar from the perspective of the observer and patients. Scores for each subscale range from 1 to 10, for a sum score range from 6 to 60. Low scores indicate better outcomes.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

Target enrollment

50 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

3 months following procedure

Results posted on

2026-03-13

Participant Flow

The surgeons recruited patients for the study from their cutaneous surgical practices.

Unit of analysis: Wound halves

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 2 cm Apart Wound closed with sutures spaced 2 centimeters apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 1 cm Apart Wound closed with sutures spaced 1 centimeter apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer
Overall Study STARTED	50 50	50 50
Overall Study COMPLETED	46 46	46 46
Overall Study NOT COMPLETED	4 4	4 4

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 2 cm Apart Wound closed with sutures spaced 2 centimeters apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 1 cm Apart Wound closed with sutures spaced 1 centimeter apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer
Overall Study Lost to Follow-up	4	4

Baseline Characteristics

Interrupted Subdermal Suture Spacing During Linear Wound Closures and the Effect on Wound Cosmesis

Baseline characteristics by cohort

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 months following procedure

Population: Out of 46 patients, each patient's wound was then divided into 2 sides: A and B. An intervention was randomly assigned to each side of the wound, for a total of 92 wound halves.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 2 cm Apart n=46 wound halves Wound closed with sutures spaced 2 centimeters apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 1 cm Apart n=46 wound halves Wound closed with sutures spaced 1 centimeter apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 1 Sum of Observer POSAS	13.14 score on a scale Interval 8.0 to 28.0	12.40 score on a scale Interval 8.0 to 32.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 1 Vascularity	2.46 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 6.0	2.23 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 6.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 1 Pigmentation	2.07 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 4.0	1.96 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 5.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 1 Thickness	2.52 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 6.0	2.34 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 6.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 1 Relief	2.56 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 8.0	2.36 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 5.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 1 Pliability	2.67 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 5.0	2.73 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 7.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 1 Surface Area	2.62 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 7.0	2.43 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 7.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 1 Overall Opinion	2.84 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 7.0	2.66 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 7.0

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 months following procedure

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 2 cm Apart n=46 Wound halves Wound closed with sutures spaced 2 centimeters apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 1 cm Apart n=46 Wound halves Wound closed with sutures spaced 1 centimeter apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 2 Sum of POSAS	14.63 score on a scale Interval 6.0 to 33.0	13.33 score on a scale Interval 6.0 to 27.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 2 Pain	1.02 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 2.0	1.00 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 1.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 2 Itching	1.13 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 6.0	1.07 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 3.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 2 Color	3.00 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 8.0	2.78 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 8.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 2 Stiffness	2.85 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 9.0	2.67 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 8.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 2 Thickness	2.44 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 8.0	2.24 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 8.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 2 Irregularity	2.94 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 10.0	2.59 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 10.0
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale - Reviewer 2 Overall opinion	2.85 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 8.0	2.44 score on a scale Interval 1.0 to 7.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 months following procedure

A secondary endpoint will include the width of the scar 1 cm from midline on each side

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 2 cm Apart n=46 wound halves Wound closed with sutures spaced 2 centimeters apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 1 cm Apart n=46 wound halves Wound closed with sutures spaced 1 centimeter apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer
Width of Scar	1.47 cm Interval 0.5 to 3.0	1.25 cm Interval 0.5 to 3.0

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 months following procedure

Population: Out of 46 patients, each patient's wound was then divided into 2 sides: A and B. An intervention was randomly assigned to each side of the wound, for a total of 92 wound halves.

Any complications including suture reaction, dehiscence, infection, necrosis, bleeding, and hematoma

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 2 cm Apart n=46 Wound halves Wound closed with sutures spaced 2 centimeters apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 1 cm Apart n=46 Wound halves Wound closed with sutures spaced 1 centimeter apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer
Complications Dehiscence	1 Wound halves	2 Wound halves
Complications Suture Abscess	10 Wound halves	7 Wound halves

Adverse Events

Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 2 cm Apart

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 1 cm Apart

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Dr. Daniel B. Eisen

Department of Dermatology, UC Davis

Phone: 916-551-2611

Email: [email protected]

Results disclosure agreements

Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
Publication restrictions are in place

Measure	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 2 cm Apart n=50 Wound halves Wound closed with sutures spaced 2 centimeters apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer	Vicryl Absorbable Suture Placed 1 cm Apart n=50 Wound halves Wound closed with sutures spaced 1 centimeter apart will be treated in a simple, interrupted subdermal suture pattern Vicryl absorbable suture: Vicryl absorbable suture is a synthetic sterile surgical suture made up of a copolymer	Total n=100 Wound halves Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous	70.2 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.7 • n=10 Wound halves	70.2 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.7 • n=10 Wound halves	70.2 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.7 • n=20 Wound halves
Sex: Female, Male Female	11 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	11 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	22 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Sex: Female, Male Male	39 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	39 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	78 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Race (NIH/OMB) American Indian or Alaska Native	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Race (NIH/OMB) Asian	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Race (NIH/OMB) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Race (NIH/OMB) Black or African American	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Race (NIH/OMB) White	50 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	50 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	100 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Race (NIH/OMB) More than one race	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Race (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Closure Length	5.89 centimeters STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.2 • n=10 Wound halves	5.89 centimeters STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.2 • n=10 Wound halves	5.89 centimeters STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.2 • n=20 Wound halves
Location of Surgical Procedure Cheeks	18 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	18 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	36 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Location of Surgical Procedure Chin	1 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	1 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	2 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Location of Surgical Procedure Forehead	6 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	6 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	12 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Location of Surgical Procedure Neck	11 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	11 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	22 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Location of Surgical Procedure Pre-auricular	8 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	8 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	16 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Location of Surgical Procedure Post-auricular	1 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	1 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	2 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Location of Surgical Procedure Temple	5 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	5 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	10 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Surgeon Experience Fellow	32 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	32 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	64 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Surgeon Experience Attending	17 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	17 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	34 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Surgeon Experience Resident	1 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	1 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	2 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Indication for Surgery Mohs	50 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	50 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	100 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves
Indication for Surgery Excision	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=10 Wound halves	0 Wound halves n=20 Wound halves