Silk Sutures v Staples for Skin Closure in Neck Dissection Patients

The use of selective supraomohyoid neck dissection for treatment of the neck in oral cancer patients is now well established. The access to the surgical site is gained through submandibular incision in conjunction with midline lip split incision to develop a lower cheek flap. Post-surgical skin closure techniques vary widely in the reported literature and choice largely lies with the surgeon basing it on his experience. Critical to the choice of method is the need for rapid application accurate skin apposition economy and reproducibility. However of paramount importance is the need to achieve excellent cosmesis and post-operative neck mobility given the conspicuous site and considerable morbidity associated with poor result. This study was designed to compare skin closure using staples and silk sutures in patients undergoing neck dissection using both methods in one half of the same wound; thus each wound affording its own control.