Impact of Suture Type on Pigment Disturbances in Patients of Skin of Color
Impact of Suture Type on Pigment Disturbances in Patients of Skin of Color: A Prospective, Randomized Split-wound Study
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18 years or older 2. Undergoing dermatologic surgery with planned standard elliptical excision with wound length of 3 cm or greater. Benign and malignant lesions will be included, including those that have undergone Mohs micrographic surgery prior to standard linear closure. All body sites will be included. 3. Able to give informed consent 4. Able to return for 3 month follow up 5. New Immigration Scale (NIS) skin color 4 or greater - The NIS is an 11 point scale, ranging from zero to 10, with zero representing albinism and 10 representing the darkest possible skin. Exclusion Criteria: 1. High-tension closures not amenable to 5-0 simple running epidermal sutures 2. Known allergy to suture material 3. Pregnant
About the study
The present study assesses if dissolvable (fast gut) or non-dissolvable (polypropylene) epidermal sutures produce better cosmetic results in terms of dyspigmentation and scarring in patients of skin of color. Through a split-wound study design, patients undergoing standard elliptical excisions at least 3 cm in length will receive each suture type. Measurements of dyspigmentation and scarring will be made at 7 days (for the head and neck), 10 days (for the trunk and extremities), and 3 months for all locations.
What is being tested
- 5-0 Polypropylene epidermal suture (device)
- 5-0 Fast gut epidermal suture (device)
Sponsor: Melissa Pugliano-Mauro · Participants: 34 · Started: Oct 1, 2022
Contact the study team
- Melissa Pugliano-Mauro, MD · Phone: 412-784-7350
- Jeffrey M Plowey, MS, ASCP(HTL) · Phone: 412-784-7350
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05408117
Locations in the U.S.
| Pennsylvania | UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh UPMC Shadyside Place, Pittsburgh UPMC St. Margaret, Pittsburgh |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.