Background/aims: Surgical site infection (SSI) is still a source of major complications in digestive tract surgery, especially in hepatobiliary region. To decrease the incidence of SSI, we have investigated whether methods of intradermal suture in benign hepatobiliary patients are in fact useful.
Methodology: Cohort study was carried out to compare the intradermal suture group (ISG) and the metallic stapler group (MSG) for laparotomy of benign biliary tract disease. The surgical technique employed for SSI prevention was always the same, excluding the method of skin sutures. Wounds with pus were defined as infected if pus were observed after the surgery. All patients were followed for at least 3 months after their respective operations.
Results: The incidence of SSI in ISG was lower than in MSG (p < 0.05). However, the risk factors and the incidence of wound infection did not correlate with each other statistically.
Conclusion: In cases of benign biliary tract disease, intradermal suture seemed to be quite appropriate for prevention of SSI, even though operation time was a little longer than with use of a metallic stapler.