Use of Barbed Suture for Wound Closure in Electrophysiology Device Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Barbed suture use in surgical fields such as gynecology and orthopedic surgery has been associated with faster wound closure, improved cosmesis, increased cost-effectiveness and potentially decreased rates of infection. However, the use of barbed suture in electrophysiology device procedures has not been reported.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to (1) investigate the safety and effectiveness of barbed suture in wound closure in patients after EP implantable cardioverter defibrillators and loop recorders (CIED) procedures, (2) to determine whether these sutures have an advantage in device implant procedures by improving incision integrity, (3) and to find out whether these sutures would potentially lead to lower rates of infections compared to non-barbed sutures.

METHODS: We retrospectively compared the closure success and complications in 413 patients undergoing CIED procedures without Quill sutures and with Quill sutures. The primary outcome was closure success and pocket infection/dehiscence within 3 months of CIED.

RESULTS: Of the 413 patients who were followed up in 3 months, there was a non-significant trend toward a lower infection rate with barbed versus non-barbed suture 1.31%, vs 1.63% p= 0.78.

CONCLUSION: This study confirms the safety and usefulness of barbed suture material for wound closure during CIED procedures.