{"id":"4460fce4-7613-42ec-932c-2f49844c5806","slug":"running-subcuticular-skin-closure-with-absorbable-suture-may-have-a-lower-deep-surgical-site-infection-rate-compared-to-skin-staples-in-open-posterior-lumbar-spine-surgery","title":"Running subcuticular skin closure with absorbable suture may have a lower deep surgical site infection rate compared to skin staples in open posterior lumbar spine surgery","authors":["Saechin Kim","John G. Massoud","Philip Hanna","Serafina F. Zotter","Amanda Schillinger","Charles J. Culata","Jason J. Zhang","Valerie Kiers","Mark P. Cote"],"abstract":"Background: Is there a higher risk of surgical site infection (SSI) after posterior lumbar spine surgeries closed with staples versus running subcuticular closures with absorbable suture (RSAS)? Methods: After institutional review board approval, we retrospectively identified open posterior lumbar spine surgical closures utilizing skin staples (staples group: 123 cases) or RSAS (RSAS group: 382 cases) performed by three surgeons who used both methods (2018–2020). Results: The rate of deep SSI in the RSAS group was 1.8% versus 5.7% for the staples group. There were no significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, extent of surgery, and length of hospital stay between the two groups. Although there was a greater percentage of previous surgery at the same site in the RSAS group, their rate of SSI was still lower than that for the staples group. Conclusion: Skin closure with skin staples appeared to have a greater risk for deep SSI (5.7%) versus RSAS (1.8%) for patients undergoing open posterior lumbar surgeries.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4460fce4-7613-42ec-932c-2f49844c5806/featured/hero-1781558245754.png","publishDate":"2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_988_2025","categories":["Spine","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/4460fce4-7613-42ec-932c-2f49844c5806/pdf"}