OBJECTIVETo compare with the clinical outcomes of barbed sutures and routine sutures in total knee arthroplasty.

METHODSFrom September 2013 to June 2014, total 116 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were enrolled in the series. There were 68 patients in the test group (T), including 58 females and 10 males, with an average age of (65.26±8.50) years old. There were 48 patients in the control group (C), including 41 females and 7 males, with an average age of (64.43±10.08) years old. Absorbable barbed sutures were selected in test group for capsule continuous closure, while coated absorbable VICRYL Plus Sutures were used in control group for continuous hemstick closure. Coated VICRYL Plus Sutures and skin stapler were selected for subcutaneous and skin closures respectively in both groups. Closure time, wound associated complications and postoperative hospital stay as well as special events were recorded, compared and analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean closure time in test group was shorter, which were(21.65±4.11) minutes (ranged, 15 to 32 minutes), comparing with (31.83±4.55) minutes in control group (ranged, 22 to 45 minutes), with a significant difference(=0.000). No significant differences were found in wound associated complications (²=1.451,=0.161) or mean postoperative hospital stay (T:5.68±1.36, C:5.46±1.29,=0.407). However, ratio of complications was higher in test group (21/68 versus 10/48), and the most commom complication was continuous effusion.

CONCLUSIONSBarbed suture can significantly shorten the closure time, but leads to a higher incidence of wound complications, therefore the method requires more professional technique and more cautious postoperative observation.