Outcomes of laceration suture repair in the emergency department

• Published in: Emergency medicine Australasia 2021-04, Vol.33 (2), p.242-249
• Main Authors: Majer, James, Valentine, Safire, Warren, Jaimee, Grant, Nicole, Sri‐Ganeshan, Muhuntha, Jermakoff, Anton, Cooper, Blake, Knott, Jonathan C, Taylor, David McD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: complication; emergency department; laceration; satisfaction; suture
• ISSN: 1742-6731; 1742-6723
• DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13600

Objective To assess patient satisfaction with laceration management, post‐ED care, cosmesis and complication rates. Methods We undertook a prospective observational study of adult patients with lacerations sutured in two EDs over a 4‐month period. ED data included participant demographics, laceration characteristics and management. A telephone survey was undertaken approximately 14 days post‐ED discharge. Patient satisfaction with post‐ED pain management, advice on wound care and follow up, overall management and wound cosmesis were evaluated using a six‐item satisfaction scale (very dissatisfied to very satisfied). Details of wound infection, dehiscence and suture failure were recorded. Results Eighty‐nine patients participated. The number (% [95% confidence interval]) of patients very satisfied with their laceration management were: post‐ED pain management 55 (62.5% [51.5–72.4]), wound care advice 51 (57.3% [46.4–67.6]), follow‐up advice 39 (43.8% [33.5–54.7]), overall management 61 (68.5% [57.7–77.7]) and cosmetic appearance 46 (51.7% [40.9–62.3]). Infection, dehiscence and suture failure occurred in 5 (5.6%), 8 (9.0%) and 8 (9.0%) cases, respectively. These complications were not associated with being very satisfied overall (P = 0.96). Patients very satisfied with post‐ED pain management, wound care advice, follow‐up advice or wound cosmesis were much more likely to be very satisfied overall (P