The most common complications after 7 days were redness and pain. These complications occurred most commonly in the suturing group (34.55% and 21.87%, respectively) followed by stapling technique (26.42% and 13.21%, respectively), and hair apposition AZD5153 molecular weight technique (16.22% and 13.51%, respectively). The distribution of
the complications 7 days after the procedure by the technique used is summarized on Table 4. Table 4 Distribution of the complications on 7th day by the techniques used Hair apposition Suturing Stapling p value Complications n % n % n % Pain 5 13.51 12 21.87 7 13.21 X2 = 2.56, p > 0.05 Serous wound drainage 1 2.7 0 0 0 0 X2 = 2.61, p > 0.05 Infection 0 0.0 3 5.45 1 1.89 X2 = 3.05, p > 0.05 Redness 6 16.22 19 34.55 14 26.42 X2 = 5.54, p > 0.05 Hair loss 0 0 5 9.093 2 3.77 X2 = 4.78, p > 0.05 Wound dehiscence 1 2.7 0 0 3 5.66 X2 = 3.15, p > 0.05 There was a significant relationship between the technique and the satisfaction level after 15 days (X2 = 6.75, p < 0.05). According to this,
satisfaction after 15 days depends on the technique used. The crosstabulation between the techniques used and satisfaction level after 15 days revealed that a stapling and suturing techniques were association with dissatisfaction whereas hair apposition technique was associated see more with much lower dissatisfaction rate (Figure 2). Figure 2 The graph of the relationship between the techniques and satisfaction level after 15 days. The crosstabulation between the techniques used and the rate of cosmetic problems after 15 days revealed a higher rate of cosmetic problems in the suturing group than
other groups (X2 = 8.81, p < 0.05) (Figure 3). Figure 3 The graph of the relationship between the techniques and cosmetic problems. Discussion Emergency physicians can also employ hair apposition technique in addition to suturing and stapling in the treatment of scalp lacerations. In our study, hair apposition technique was associated with a higher rate of satisfaction than other techniques 7 days and 15 days after the procedure. Orotidine 5′-phosphate decarboxylase Hock et al., in a study where they used techniques of suturing and hair apposition in patients with scalp laceration, included lacerations up to 10 cm but did not mentioned about any relationship between the technique used and laceration length [7]. Both our study and previous studies suggested that a hair length of at least 1 cm is essential for application of hair apposition technique in scalp lacerations [7, 8]. In our study there was no significant difference between the technique used and hair length. Hock et al. compared complication and healing rates 7 days after treatment of scalp lacerations with suturing or hair apposition techniques and reported that wound healing and scar formation occurred more commonly in suturing whereas rates of infection or bleeding were not different in both groups [7]. Karaduman et al. used all three techniques in scalp lacerations and reported no cases of infection 7 days after the procedure.