The American journal of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Cost analysis of stapling versus suturing for skin closure.
A randomized, prospective study was performed to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference between the cost of stapling and suturing for skin closure of selected linear lacerations. Appropriate wounds were randomly assigned to be closed by staples or sutures. ⋯ The average total cost per case was $17.69 (with suture kit) and $7.84 (without suture kit) for the staple Group compared with $21.58 for the suture Group (P = .0001 for each). It is concluded that stapling is less costly than suturing and that the advantage appears to increase as laceration length increases.