Facial Lacerations Nima Shemirani Eos Rejuvenation Lasky Clinic, Beverly Hills CA

Objectives Basic principles of wound healing Basic principles of wound healing Suture and needle choices Suture and needle choices Techniques of effective closure to optimize scar outcomes Techniques of effective closure to optimize scar outcomes Wound preparation Wound preparation Comparison of suture types Comparison of suture types Role of antimicrobials Role of antimicrobials

Evaluation of patient After ABCs, anesthetize laceration and explore locally After ABCs, anesthetize laceration and explore locally Thoroughly clean all debris and blood from face to avoid missing a laceration Thoroughly clean all debris and blood from face to avoid missing a laceration Surgilube is a great way to clean dried blood – leave on for 2 minutes and wipe with 4x4 Surgilube is a great way to clean dried blood – leave on for 2 minutes and wipe with 4x4 Assess depth of wound, layers affected, and look for fractures which may be at the base of the laceration Assess depth of wound, layers affected, and look for fractures which may be at the base of the laceration

Principles of wound management Thoroughly cleanse the wound with copious irrigation Thoroughly cleanse the wound with copious irrigation If there is any debris – it must be removed, residual debris will leave tatoos within the dermis (may need to use scrub brush) If there is any debris – it must be removed, residual debris will leave tatoos within the dermis (may need to use scrub brush)

Reference

Wound physiology and healing Only the dermis is capable of regeneration, not the epidermis Only the dermis is capable of regeneration, not the epidermis Wounds will contract as they heal Wounds will contract as they heal A tension-free closure is essential to help avoid widened scars A tension-free closure is essential to help avoid widened scars Remove foreign bodies, devitalized tissue Remove foreign bodies, devitalized tissue

Features involving face Can be up to 9 degrees warmer than extremities Can be up to 9 degrees warmer than extremities High relative blood flow aids in preventing infection without the use of antibiotics High relative blood flow aids in preventing infection without the use of antibiotics Sutures to be left in 5-7 days to avoid tracking Sutures to be left in 5-7 days to avoid tracking

Anatomy of a needle 3 parts: point, body and swage 3 parts: point, body and swage Needle is rounded at swage end Needle is rounded at swage end Needle is flat within body (best place to grab with needle driver Needle is flat within body (best place to grab with needle driver

Anatomy of a needle (cont) A = swage (needle rotates) A = swage (needle rotates) B= body (needle secure) B= body (needle secure) C= point (point is blunted) C= point (point is blunted)

Needle choices Taper – stretches tissue, good for deep, soft and elastic tissue Taper – stretches tissue, good for deep, soft and elastic tissue Conventional cutting – 3 rd edge along inner aspect of needle – can pull needle through tissue inadvertantly Conventional cutting – 3 rd edge along inner aspect of needle – can pull needle through tissue inadvertantly Reverse cutting – 3 rd edge along outer aspect of needle to minimize pulling the needle through Reverse cutting – 3 rd edge along outer aspect of needle to minimize pulling the needle through

Needle driver choice Jaws of needle driver should approximate % of the length of the needle Jaws of needle driver should approximate % of the length of the needle A= just rightB= too bigC= too small A= just rightB= too bigC= too small

Suture choices Ideal suture: absorbable, minimal reactivity, minimal “memory,” and ease of use Ideal suture: absorbable, minimal reactivity, minimal “memory,” and ease of use Absorbable - Fast gut, chromic gut, cat gut, Vicryl, Monocryl, PDS Absorbable - Fast gut, chromic gut, cat gut, Vicryl, Monocryl, PDS Non-absorbable – Nylon, Prolene Non-absorbable – Nylon, Prolene

Sutures and strengths

Costs of suture (hospital wholesale) Black nylon (5-0) = $3.22 Black nylon (5-0) = $3.22 Blue Prolene (5-0) = $4.28 Blue Prolene (5-0) = $4.28 Fast gut (6-0) = $4.78 Fast gut (6-0) = $4.78 Dermabond capsule = $25 Dermabond capsule = $25

Deep suture technique Suture is tied on deep side of knot Important to enter and exit tissue at same levels Formation of “box” type knot (width=length)

Matching uneven skin edges Use layer of skin to match levels (dermis to dermis) This will help ensure a even edge closure

Importance of eversion Wound will contract over time Need to evert wound edges to prevent depressions and widening of scar

For proper eversion Penetrate skin and tissue at 90 degree angles Penetrate skin and tissue at 90 degree angles Form a “box” with the suture Form a “box” with the suture

Injection Topical anesthetic may help Topical anesthetic may help For kids, give a dose of benadryl with topical For kids, give a dose of benadryl with topical Use 1% lido with epi (hemostasis) and bicarb in a 1cc bicarb to 9cc of lidocaine + epi Use 1% lido with epi (hemostasis) and bicarb in a 1cc bicarb to 9cc of lidocaine + epi For abscesses use 2% lido+epi (8cc) and bicarb (2cc) For abscesses use 2% lido+epi (8cc) and bicarb (2cc) Use 30g needle and inject SLOWLY Use 30g needle and inject SLOWLY Try to enter the laceration in areas that are already anesthetized Try to enter the laceration in areas that are already anesthetized

Forehead Simple interrupted sutures should only be left in place for 3-4 days to prevent track marks Simple interrupted sutures should only be left in place for 3-4 days to prevent track marks Usually this is not enough time for adequate healing and wound strength Usually this is not enough time for adequate healing and wound strength Alternatively, use a sub-cuticular running suture with prolene or nylon and use steri-strips so you can leave sutures in longer Alternatively, use a sub-cuticular running suture with prolene or nylon and use steri-strips so you can leave sutures in longer Very important to get good deep closure Very important to get good deep closure

Example of Sub-Cuticular

Eyelid Look for fat in the wound Look for fat in the wound This is a sign that the orbital septum (continuous with the periosteum) has been violated - call occuloplastics This is a sign that the orbital septum (continuous with the periosteum) has been violated - call occuloplastics Suture skin only with small bites, do not need to reapproximate orbicularis oculi - this may lead to scar contracture and inability to close eye Suture skin only with small bites, do not need to reapproximate orbicularis oculi - this may lead to scar contracture and inability to close eye

Example of a bad outcome

Lip Extremely important to realign the vermillion Extremely important to realign the vermillion A 1mm step-off in the closure will be noticeable A 1mm step-off in the closure will be noticeable Reaproximate the orbicularis oris musle to relieve tension in this active area Reaproximate the orbicularis oris musle to relieve tension in this active area

Lip Closure

Scars change over time

Regional Blocks Work well in areas such as the lip whose anatomy can be altered with local injections Work well in areas such as the lip whose anatomy can be altered with local injections To approximate the lip, align the red border To approximate the lip, align the red border Lido with epi may blanch the skin so re-aligning the lip can be difficult Lido with epi may blanch the skin so re-aligning the lip can be difficult Infra-orbital block for upper lip, mental nerve Infra-orbital block for upper lip, mental nerve rule, use the 3rd tooth from the midline for upper, in between 4 and 5 for lower rule, use the 3rd tooth from the midline for upper, in between 4 and 5 for lower “How to block and tackle the face” - Zide “How to block and tackle the face” - Zide

Ear Skin is adherent to underlying cartilage Skin is adherent to underlying cartilage Difficult to suture cartilage together and the overlap may lead to a deformity Difficult to suture cartilage together and the overlap may lead to a deformity Just need to suture the overlying skin, the cartilage does not need to be sutured Just need to suture the overlying skin, the cartilage does not need to be sutured

Timing of repair Berk et al looked at 372 patients, 204 of whom had followed up 7 days later in 2004 Berk et al looked at 372 patients, 204 of whom had followed up 7 days later in 2004 They concluded that wounds that were closed within 24 hours had no increased risk of infection if it is a clean laceration They concluded that wounds that were closed within 24 hours had no increased risk of infection if it is a clean laceration

Visual analog scale (0-100mm) Quinn et al 1995

Cosmetic appearance score From Wound Registry: Hollander Wound Evaluation Scale

Assessing outcomes in facial plastic surgery (Rhee et al 2008) Review of all outcomes in facial plastic surgery Review of all outcomes in facial plastic surgery Other than the Quinn VAS and Hollender Wound Evaluation Score, there are 4 other scales Other than the Quinn VAS and Hollender Wound Evaluation Score, there are 4 other scales Of note the Quinn and Hollander scales are reliable (good inter and intra rater reliability), and validated (use of lit reviews, expert opinions) Of note the Quinn and Hollander scales are reliable (good inter and intra rater reliability), and validated (use of lit reviews, expert opinions)

Ethibond vs Monofilament (Quinn 1998) Paid for by manufacturers of Ethibond Paid for by manufacturers of Ethibond 136 randomized patients to pediatric ER to either 5-0/6-0 closure or ethibond 136 randomized patients to pediatric ER to either 5-0/6-0 closure or ethibond Reassess wound at 10days, 3mos, 1 year Reassess wound at 10days, 3mos, 1 year Use of Hollander wound score and VAS by 2 research RNs on follow-up and a validated wound VAS by a cosmetic plastic surgeon (based on photographs) Use of Hollander wound score and VAS by 2 research RNs on follow-up and a validated wound VAS by a cosmetic plastic surgeon (based on photographs)

Results of Ethibond closure No significant difference in optimum wound scores (73% for Ethibond, 68% suture) or VAS No significant difference in optimum wound scores (73% for Ethibond, 68% suture) or VAS No correlation between 10 days and 3 mos, but excellent correlation between 3 mos and 1 year in appearance of wound No correlation between 10 days and 3 mos, but excellent correlation between 3 mos and 1 year in appearance of wound Essentially all future studies use 3 mos f/u in their methods based on the results of this study Essentially all future studies use 3 mos f/u in their methods based on the results of this study Consideration: application of Ethibond cannot be within wound, cannot use on lips Consideration: application of Ethibond cannot be within wound, cannot use on lips

Cochrane review of tissue adhesives (2001, updated 2007) Used VAS and cosmetic wound score to examine a total of 889 lacerations, with 364 having follow-up 9-12 mos out from 9 studies Used VAS and cosmetic wound score to examine a total of 889 lacerations, with 364 having follow-up 9-12 mos out from 9 studies No difference in wound scores noted No difference in wound scores noted Less pain involved with application and absence of suture removal Less pain involved with application and absence of suture removal Time to apply adhesive was ~5 minutes shorter than suturing Time to apply adhesive was ~5 minutes shorter than suturing There was a slightly higher risk of dehicience with adhesive (6.6% vs 2.2%) which was stat sig There was a slightly higher risk of dehicience with adhesive (6.6% vs 2.2%) which was stat sig

Fast gut vs Nylon closure (Luck 2008) Pediatric ED patients comparing suture choices Pediatric ED patients comparing suture choices Wounds 1-5cm without irreg borders, 1-2 layer closure Wounds 1-5cm without irreg borders, 1-2 layer closure Follow-up at 5-7days and 3 months Follow-up at 5-7days and 3 months Use validated VAS for cosmesis by 3 blinded observers (peds ED attendings) based on photographs, and parental VAS Use validated VAS for cosmesis by 3 blinded observers (peds ED attendings) based on photographs, and parental VAS 90 patients total randomized with 60% f/u rate at 3 months 90 patients total randomized with 60% f/u rate at 3 months

Luck et al. results Mean VAS was 92mm (FG) and 93mm (N) Mean VAS was 92mm (FG) and 93mm (N) Parental VAS was 86mm (FG) and 91mm (N) Parental VAS was 86mm (FG) and 91mm (N) Parental survey found fast gut to be more convenient (91% vs 75%) and were more likely to request it in the future (96% vs 79%) Parental survey found fast gut to be more convenient (91% vs 75%) and were more likely to request it in the future (96% vs 79%) 3 parents (13%) perceived complications in fast gut group compared to nylon (1 large scar after dehiscience, 2 with premature unraveling) 3 parents (13%) perceived complications in fast gut group compared to nylon (1 large scar after dehiscience, 2 with premature unraveling)

Limitations 70% of fast gut patients had at least one suture that needed to be removed at 5-7d follow-up 70% of fast gut patients had at least one suture that needed to be removed at 5-7d follow-up Photographs do not show 3D anatomy Photographs do not show 3D anatomy Only 60% follow-up rate Only 60% follow-up rate Note that the parental VAS was 5mm higher for the nylon group - this was statistically insignificant based on the study, but is it clinically insignificant? Note that the parental VAS was 5mm higher for the nylon group - this was statistically insignificant based on the study, but is it clinically insignificant?

Comparison of nylon, fast gut and Dermabond (Holger 2004) 146 patients randomized to each group 146 patients randomized to each group 9-12 mos of follow-up, ~60% follow-up rate 9-12 mos of follow-up, ~60% follow-up rate VAS used to assess wound VAS used to assess wound No significant differences between 3 groups in wound outcome No significant differences between 3 groups in wound outcome

Metanalysis of absorbable vs non- absorbable suture (Al-Abdullah 2007) 2 studies from Holger (2004) and Karounis (2004) showed no difference in long term cosmetic outcome scores when results were pooled together 2 studies from Holger (2004) and Karounis (2004) showed no difference in long term cosmetic outcome scores when results were pooled together 3 studies pooled showed no difference in hypertrophic scarring 3 studies pooled showed no difference in hypertrophic scarring 7 studies pooled together revealed no difference in infection rate 7 studies pooled together revealed no difference in infection rate

Choice of closure method Whatever method you choose, make sure you perform it correctly (dermabond, steri strips) Whatever method you choose, make sure you perform it correctly (dermabond, steri strips) Fast gut may have an unpredictable absorption rate, if it stays in too long, track marks may form as well as prolonged erythema Fast gut may have an unpredictable absorption rate, if it stays in too long, track marks may form as well as prolonged erythema Dermabond cannot get into the wound Dermabond cannot get into the wound 6-0 Prolene is a good choice, gives control over wound closure and suture removal 6-0 Prolene is a good choice, gives control over wound closure and suture removal

Choice of irrigant/cleanser Normal saline, water, Shur-Clens shown to be least toxic to fibroblasts and keratinocytes in vitro (Wilson et al 2005) Normal saline, water, Shur-Clens shown to be least toxic to fibroblasts and keratinocytes in vitro (Wilson et al 2005) Povidine-iodine and hydrogen peroxide among the most toxic, but iodine not shown to prevent infection (Gravett et al 1987) Povidine-iodine and hydrogen peroxide among the most toxic, but iodine not shown to prevent infection (Gravett et al 1987) Since commercial detergents and normal saline have been shown to be equally effective in preventing infection, normal saline is adequate for cleaning of the wound Since commercial detergents and normal saline have been shown to be equally effective in preventing infection, normal saline is adequate for cleaning of the wound

Role of antimicrobials In animal models 10 5 colonies/g tissue In animal models 10 5 colonies/g tissue Typical ED laceration (clean) has 10 2 /g tissue Typical ED laceration (clean) has 10 2 /g tissue Systemic antimicrobials for complicated wounds (next slide) Systemic antimicrobials for complicated wounds (next slide) Dire et al found a decreased infection rate with the application of triple abx ointment (4.5%) vs bacitracin (5.5%) vs silvadene (12%) vs petrolatum (17%) Dire et al found a decreased infection rate with the application of triple abx ointment (4.5%) vs bacitracin (5.5%) vs silvadene (12%) vs petrolatum (17%)

Assess risk factors Extremes of age Extremes of age DM, renal disease DM, renal disease Immunocompromised state Immunocompromised state Malnutrition Malnutrition Obesity Obesity Bite injuries (Amox/clav x 3-5 days to cover Eikenella, Pasturella) Bite injuries (Amox/clav x 3-5 days to cover Eikenella, Pasturella) Crush injuries Crush injuries Grossly contaminated wounds Grossly contaminated wounds Laceration involving muscle Laceration involving muscle Open fractures Open fractures Intraoral lacerations (5 days of PCN adequate) Intraoral lacerations (5 days of PCN adequate)

Appropriate use of antibiotics Nakamura and Daya did a review of clinical trials involving the use of anitbiotics Nakamura and Daya did a review of clinical trials involving the use of anitbiotics They concluded that antimicrobials should be used in open fractures, intra-oral wounds and bites They concluded that antimicrobials should be used in open fractures, intra-oral wounds and bites In addition, since there are no randomized trials for assessing risk factors, it is accepted that it would be appropriate to use antimicrobials for the previously mentioned risk factors In addition, since there are no randomized trials for assessing risk factors, it is accepted that it would be appropriate to use antimicrobials for the previously mentioned risk factors

Pearls and techniques Zen-like - need to visualize and practice entering and exiting the skin at 90 degree angles Zen-like - need to visualize and practice entering and exiting the skin at 90 degree angles Formation of a “square” with the suture Formation of a “square” with the suture Wound eversion is necessary Wound eversion is necessary Have the proper equipment - need fine instruments with delicate lacerations, small children Have the proper equipment - need fine instruments with delicate lacerations, small children Most of all, be patient and achieve a correct closure, spending an extra 10 minutes will make for a better outcome Most of all, be patient and achieve a correct closure, spending an extra 10 minutes will make for a better outcome

Practice Carry a needle driver in your pocket Carry a needle driver in your pocket Practice opening and closing without using your fingers Practice opening and closing without using your fingers This will make it more efficient and help prevent inadvertently pulling the needle out This will make it more efficient and help prevent inadvertently pulling the needle out

Conclusions Proper suture placement and eversion of wound is essential for optimum scar outcome Proper suture placement and eversion of wound is essential for optimum scar outcome Antibiotics have not been shown to be effective in non- contaminated wounds Antibiotics have not been shown to be effective in non- contaminated wounds Closure with fast gut appears to have similar wound outcomes when compared with non-absorable sutures at 1 year Closure with fast gut appears to have similar wound outcomes when compared with non-absorable sutures at 1 year Dermabond has similar wound outcomes, but requires special attention when applying Dermabond has similar wound outcomes, but requires special attention when applying Cleaning of the wound with normal saline is adequate to prevent infection Cleaning of the wound with normal saline is adequate to prevent infection