Effects of aesthetic suturing on wound healing and scar formation in patients with traffic accident-related injuries.

INTRODUCTION

Traffic accident-related lacerations frequently require urgent primary closure and may be complicated by irregular wound margins, heterogeneous contamination, and variable mechanical tension, all of which can influence scar maturation. This study evaluated the association between aesthetic suturing and clinical wound healing as well as scar-related outcomes in patients with traffic accident-related injuries.

METHODS

In this retrospective observational study, 117 consecutive patients treated between March 2023 and September 2024 were categorized according to the closure approach documented at index repair (aesthetic suturing, n = 58; conventional suturing, n = 59). Data were extracted from electronic medical records using a standardized case report form. Outcomes included time to complete healing, primary healing, wound-related complications, healthcare utilization after discharge, and scar/aesthetic outcomes assessed by the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), symptom scores, and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Time to complete healing and primary healing were comparable between groups, and no significant differences were observed in surgical site infection, dehiscence, hematoma/seroma, marginal ischemia/necrosis, or secondary procedures. Revisit/readmission was less frequent after aesthetic suturing. Scar outcomes favored aesthetic suturing, with substantially lower VSS total and domain scores, lower scar pain, and higher patient satisfaction; hypertrophic scar and contracture rates did not differ significantly. Subgroup analyses showed consistent VSS benefit without significant interaction across prespecified strata.

DISCUSSION: Aesthetic suturing was associated with improved scar quality and patient-reported aesthetic outcomes without an apparent increase in short-term wound complications.