Randomized Controlled Trial of Topical Skin Adhesive vs Nylon Sutures for Incision Closure in Forefoot Surgery.

BACKGROUND: There are many options for incision closure in forefoot surgery. The aim of this study was to compare topical skin adhesive (2-octyl-cyanoacrylate) to simple interrupted nylon sutures. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing topical skin adhesive (TSA) and nylon sutures (NSs) for elective open forefoot surgery. Primary outcome was Hollander Wound Evaluation Scale (HWES) assessed 2 weeks following surgery. Secondary objectives included time taken for wound closure, wound assessment, patient satisfaction with wound cosmesis, incision pain, and infection rate. RESULTS: Between January and December 2018, 84 feet (70 patients) underwent hallux valgus scarf/Akin osteotomy or first metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis and were randomized to receive either intervention (topical skin adhesive) or control (3/0 nylon sutures). We found worse HWES scores when using TSA compared to NSs (1.07 vs 0.60). Incision closure time was slower for TSA (mean, 272 vs 229 seconds). At 2 weeks postoperatively, wound care was faster for TSA (mean 71 secs) vs NSs (mean 120), and patient-reported pain was less with TSA (visual analog scale: TSA 1.2 vs NSs 2.1). A high degree of overall patient satisfaction was reported in both groups, without significant difference. CONCLUSION: Closure of elective forefoot surgery incisions with topical skin adhesive or interrupted nylon sutures offers high satisfaction rates, low pain scores, and low complications. However, topical skin adhesive was associated with more inflammation and areas of wound separation compared to nylon sutures. We recommend the use of sutures for wound closure in forefoot surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Effect of a Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion of Local Anesthetic Following Elective Surgery to the Great Toe.

Local anesthetic use for wound infusions, single injection, and continuous nerve blocks for postoperative analgesia is well established. No study has investigated the effect of a continuous block of the saphenous and superficial peroneal nerves at the level of the ankle joint following first ray surgery. A double blind randomized controlled trial was designed. One hundred patients with hallux valgus and rigidus requiring surgical correction were recruited and randomized to receive a postoperative continuous infusion at the ankle of normal saline or ropivacaine for 24 hours. Pain scores were recorded on postoperative days 1 and 7. There were more females than males. Follow-up was 100%. There were no significant differences in demographic data between the 2 randomized groups. There was no significant difference between the absolute visual analog scale scores on day 1 (P = .14) and day 7 (P = .16); nor was there a significant difference in reduction in scores between days 1 and 7 (P = .70). This study has shown no benefit to postoperative analgesia with the use of a continuous infusion of ropivacaine at the ankle. We, therefore, cannot currently recommend its use in the way described. Further studies may still identify a role for continuous local anesthetic infusions at the ankle to improve postoperative analgesia. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level I : Prospective randomised control trial.