Undermining During Cutaneous Wound Closure

Undermining During Cutaneous Wound Closure: a Randomized Split Wound Comparative Effectiveness Trial

The purpose of this study is to determine whether undermining during cutaneous surgery improves scar cosmesis compared to wound closure without undermining.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether undermining during cutaneous surgery improves scar cosmesis compared to wound closure without undermining. Our aims are to compare outcomes using a split wound model, where half the wound is undermined and the other half is not. This will be measured via the physician observer scar assessment scale, a validated scar instrument and via wound width. Our hypothesis is that wound undermining will result in cosmetically superior wound outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Able to give informed consent themselves
• Patient scheduled for cutaneous surgical procedure with predicted linear closure
• Willing to return for follow up visits

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mentally handicapped
• Incarceration
• Pregnant Women
• Wounds with predicted closure length less than 3 cm
• Wounds with diameter > 3 cm
• Wounds unable to be fully closed without undermining