TABLE 110.3 COMMON TECHNIQUES OF WOUND CLOSURE Technique Advantages Disadvantages Sutures Greatest tensile strength Meticulous closure Low dehiscence rate Staples Rapid application Painful Removal needed Slow application Increased tissue reaction Risk of needlestick (clinician) Not for use on face (less meticulous closure) Tissue adhesive Tape strips Low cost Low tissue reaction Rapid application Painless No removal needed Low cost No risk of needlestick (clinician) Rapid application Painless Lower tensile strength Not for use on joints Not for use on bite wounds High risk of dehiscence Not for use in moist areas, young children Low cost Low infection risk Least tissue reaction Tissue adhesives should be used only to close skin of superficial wounds For many lacerations, deep absorbable sutures will also be needed because the glue has less strength than most sutures Skin glues should not be used for wounds subject to great tension, such as on the hands or joints, or bite injuries in which occlusive closure increases the risk of infection Table 110.3 summarizes advantages and disadvantages of several techniques available for wound closure