Comparative Study on Sutures vs Staples for Skin Closure in a Patient Undergoing Thyroidectomy
Tags : Comparative StudyCosmetic OutcomesEndocrine SurgeryHead and Neck SurgeryOriginal ResearchPostoperative OutcomesSkin ClosureStaplesSurgical Site InfectionSurgical TechniquesSuturesThe Operating Room GlobalThe Operating Room Global JournalThyroidectomyTORGJVolume 2 Issue 1 2026Wound Closure Methods
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2601004
Authors: Saeed Ahmad1,2*, Summyya Musharaf1, Nimra Rafique1
| 1University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, Pakistan. 2The Operating Room Global (TORG). |

Cite:
- APA (7th edition): Ahmad, S., Musharaf, S., & Rafique, N. (2026, February 4). Comparative study on sutures vs staples for skin closure in a patient undergoing thyroidectomy. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ). https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2601004
- Harvard: Ahmad, S., Musharaf, S. and Rafique, N., 2026. Comparative study on sutures vs staples for skin closure in a patient undergoing thyroidectomy. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ). Published 4 February. Available at: https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2601004
- Vancouver: Ahmad S, Musharaf S, Rafique N. Comparative study on sutures vs staples for skin closure in a patient undergoing thyroidectomy. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ). 2026 Feb 4. https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2601004
- MLA (9th edition): Ahmad, Saeed, et al. “Comparative Study on Sutures vs Staples for Skin Closure in a Patient Undergoing Thyroidectomy.” The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), 4 Feb. 2026, https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2601004
- Chicago (Author-Date): Ahmad, Saeed, Summyya Musharaf, and Nimra Rafique. 2026. “Comparative Study on Sutures vs Staples for Skin Closure in a Patient Undergoing Thyroidectomy.” The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), February 4. https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2601004
*Corresponding Author:
Saeed Ahmad
[email protected]
Declaration:
Authors’ Contribution:
Equal contributions.
Conflict of Interest:
No conflict of interest.
Funding:
No funding received by the authors.
| Article History: |
| Received: 11-01-2026 Accepted: 02-02-2026 |
| Available Online: 04-02-2026 |
| QR Code Access to this Article |

| ABSTRACT |
| Background: Thyroidectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure and appropriate skin closure technique plays a crucial role in postoperative recovery, cosmetic outcomes, and patient comfort. Sutures and staples are widely used for skin closure however their comparative effectiveness remains debated. Objective: To compare postoperative outcomes of sutures versus staples for skin closure following thyroidectomy in terms of pain intensity, wound complications, patient comfort, and cosmetic appearance. Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted at Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 101 patients undergoing thyroidectomy were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the skin closure technique used: sutures (n=53) and staples (n=48). Postoperative pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while wound outcomes were evaluated using the Modified Southampton Wound Scoring System. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Staples demonstrated better wound appearance and lower rates of inflammation and serous discharge compared to sutures. However, patients in the staple group experienced significantly higher postoperative pain scores (p=0.016). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding seroma formation, drain comfort, or ICU stay. Conclusion: Staples provide superior cosmetic outcomes and reduced wound complications but are associated with increased postoperative pain, which can be effectively managed with analgesics. Selection of skin closure techniques should be individualized based on patient needs and surgeon preference. Keywords: Thyroidectomy; Sutures; Staples |
Download Full Text Below
Start a Submission
Latest Publications
- - Impact of Perioperative Nursing Assessment Round on Anxiety and Complications of Elective Surgeries: A Quasi-Experimental Study at a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria
- - Predictors of Keloid Recurrence Following Surgical Excision: Clinical, Surgical, and Molecular Determinants
- - Pain Management Strategies in Cancer Surgery: Anaesthetic and Technological Innovations
- - The Impact of Operating Room Distractions, Interruptions, and Disruptions (DIDs) on the Length of Operative Time in Adults in Acute Hospitals: A Systematic Review
- - Comparative Study on Sutures vs Staples for Skin Closure in a Patient Undergoing Thyroidectomy
- - Imaging-Guided Regenerative Aesthetics: A Review of PRP, Stem-Cell, and Fat-Derived Therapies in Interventional Radiology.
- - Effectiveness of Preoperative Nursing Visits in Reducing Preoperative Anxiety Among Surgical Patients in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
- - Therapeutic Role and Toxicity Profile of High-Dose Interleukin-2 in Metastatic Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review.
- - Ovarian Ectopic Pregnancy: A Rare Case Report in a Resource-Limited Setting
- - An Unsuspected Case of Hirschsprung Disease in an Adolescent: A Case Report.
- - Clinical Incidents Reporting Practice and Associated Factors Among Health Professionals in Debre Birhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North Shoa, Amhara, Ethiopia.
- - Patterns of Intravitreal Injection Utilisation, Treatment Burden, and Cost Implications in a Public Ophthalmology Service: A Retrospective Audit.
- - Emergency Room Foley Catheter Retrieval of an Oesophageal Foreign Body In A Low-Resource Setting: A Case Series.
- - Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.
- - Ethical Perceptions of Euthanasia Among Medical and Non-Medical Undergraduate Students in Pakistan: A Qualitative Exploratory Study.
- - Managing Recurrent Osteomyelitis in the Context of Antimicrobial Resistance in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Review.
- - Prevalence And Sex-Related Structural Differences Of The Thebesian Valve In A Select Kenyan Population: Autopsy Study.
- - Waiting Times for Cataract Surgery in a Dedicated Cataract Clinic: A Retrospective Audit.
- - Osteochondroma of the Pubic Ramus Presenting with Sexual Dysfunction: A Case Report.
- - Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilization: A Systematic Review of Carcinogenicity, Toxicity And Occupational Exposure
- - Scaling Laparoscopic Surgery in LMICs: Barriers, innovations and Policy Recommendations.
- - Assessment of Knowledge and Practices of Operation Theatre Professionals Regarding Infection Control Protocols at PINS Hospital n Lahore.
- - Anxiety and Depression Among Rural Population Due to Lockdowns During COVID-19 Pandemic.
- - Assessment of Mental Health of Pregnant and Postpartum Women Attending Antenatal and Postnatal Service in Tertiary Health Institutions in Anambra State.
- - Effect of Organizational and Environmental Stressors on Surgical Team Performance and Patient Safety in a Northwest Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study.
- - Outcomes of Smart or Automated Sterilization Tracking in Central Sterile Services Departments (CSSDs): A Systematic Review.
- - A Delphi Survey of Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Patient Involvement and Satisfaction in Surgical Decision-Making in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)
- - The Impact of Nurse Workforce Levels on Patient Outcomes in the UK Hospitals: A Systematic Review.
- - Glycaemic Control and its Impact on Early Post-Operative Outcomes in Patients undergoing Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- - Complications Of Uterine Leiomyomas: A Comparative Review of Uterine Fibroid Embolization and Myomectomy in Management and Outcomes