A simple technique for the excision of cutaneous carcinoma: the round block purse-string suture.

BACKGROUND: Purse-string suture is a simple technique that can be used to reduce the surface area of circular wounds in an effort to obtain minimal scarring. In this report, we provide evidence of the effectiveness of the purse-string suture as a stand-alone procedure that allows a permanent primary complete closure of small to moderate skin defects. The procedure is used primarily for the repair of skin defects due to cutaneous tumor excision in older patients.

METHODS: The purse-string suture is executed by using a 1-0 absorbable suture, always by exiting and reentering intradermally and never penetrating the epidermis, in a circumferential fashion.

RESULTS: The immediate postoperative folds flatten in about a 4-week postoperative time span, and the resulting scar is the smallest obtainable.

CONCLUSIONS: The round block purse-string suture is a simple technique which allows complete closure of skin defects without importing tissue from a distance, and it can be particularly suitable for older patients because of their skin laxity.