STASSH - TRAUMA - Absorbable vs Non-Absorbable Sutures in Trauma Hand Surgery

Launched by MID AND SOUTH ESSEX NHS FOUNDATION TRUST · Jan 30, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The STASSH - TRAUMA clinical trial is designed to compare two types of stitches, called sutures, used in emergency hand surgeries. Some patients will receive absorbable sutures, which dissolve in the body over time, while others will get non-absorbable sutures, which need to be removed later. The main goal of this study is to find out if one type of suture leads to fewer infections after surgery. Researchers will also look at other important factors, such as how the scars look at different times after surgery, how much inflammation is present in the wounds, and how patients feel about their recovery.

To participate in this trial, you need to be an adult between the ages of 18 and 100 who is having emergency hand surgery for injuries that might involve bones, tendons, nerves, or blood vessels, especially if there’s a risk of infection. Unfortunately, patients who cannot give consent, are under 18, have specific allergies to the sutures used, need skin grafts, or are having very urgent surgeries (like amputations) cannot take part. If you join the study, you can expect to answer some questions about your symptoms and recovery at one and six to eight weeks after your surgery, helping researchers understand your experience better.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult emergency hand surgery patients (age 18-100) with suspected bone/tendon/nerve/blood vessel injury or high risk of infection e.g. bites
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients who are unable to consent or do not consent
• • Patients below the age of 18
• • Patients with a known allergy to vicryl rapide (polyglactin 910) or nylon (ethilon) suture.
• • Any patient whose hand surgery requires a skin graft.
• • Any patient operated on as an immediate emergency e.g. amputation, revascularisation.