Using Zhang’s supertension-relieving suture technique with slowly-absorbable barbed sutures in the management of pathological scars:a multicenter retrospective study

Background:An ideal tension-relieving suture should be efficient for>3 months to retrieve normal tensile strength.Most preexisting suturing techniques provided tension elimination followed by relapse and scar proliferation due to absorption and cut-through of the sutures.This study introduces a simple but effective suture technique developed by a senior author(ZYX)to solve this problem.Methods:A total of 120 patients with pathological scar(PS)had intervention treatment with the proposed suturing strategy at three centers from January 2018 to January 2021.A slowly absorbable 2-0 barbed suturewas used for subcutaneous tension relieving with a set-back from the wound edge and a horizontal interval between proposed inserting points of 1 cm.The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale(POSAS),scar width,perfusion and eversion of the wound edge were evaluated at 3-,6-and 12-month follow-up.The time needed to place the tension-relieving suture was recorded and relapse was monitored for 18 months postoperatively.Results:In total,76 trunks,32 extremities and 12 cervical PS were included,with an average subcutaneous tension-relieving suture time of 5 min.The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale(POSAS)score decreased from 84.70±7.06 preoperatively to 28.83±3.09,26.14±1.92 and 24.71±2.00 at 3,6 and 12 months postoperatively,respectively(p<0.0001).The scar widths were 0.17±0.08,0.25±0.09 and 0.33±0.10 cm,respectively,with perfusion significantly decreased from 213.64±14.97 to 112.23±8.18 at 6 months(p<0.0001).The wound edge flattened out during the first 3 months in most cases with only two scar relapses.Conclusions:Zhang’s suture technique provides a rapid and long-lasting tension-relieving effect with ideal scar appearances and lower relapse rates in the surgical management of PS.

Remnant-preserving posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with graft tension-relieving： a comparative study with conventional technique

Background Posterior cruciate ligament （PCL） tear is a severe injury to the knee joint and often requires surgical reconstruction. A number of PCL reconstruction techniques have been reported. However, the problem of residual laxity after surgery is not unusual with conventional techniques. This study aims to introduce a modified PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation and graft tension relieving. Meltlods Between December 2008 and June 2011, 36 cases of PCL reconstruction were performed in our institute, 20 with conventional technique （Group I） and 16 with modified technique （Group II）. Pre- and post-operative results of the international knee documentation committee knee evaluation form （IKDC）, Lysholm, Tegner, and KT2000 side-to-side difference were obtained. Results Significant improvements of IKDC, Lysholm, Tegner, and KT2000 results after surgery were found in both groups. Group II showed better improvement in all subjective examinations and significantly more decrease of KT 2000 side-to-side difference. Conclusion Modified PCL reconstruction with remnant preservation and graft tension relieving showed better results in restoration of posterior stability compared to conventional technique.