A subcutaneous suture is a surgical suturing technique used to approximate the subcutaneous tissue after a surgical procedure. It serves to reduce dead space, relieve tension on the skin sutures, and mechanically stabilize the wound edges. The subcutaneous suture is generally placed as an intermediate layer between fascial closure and skin closure. Definitive skin closure is then achieved with skin sutures, intradermal sutures, or skin staples.
Relevance
A carefully placed subcutaneous suture reduces tension on the skin edges and improves tissue approximation. This reduces the risk of wound-healing complications and secondary CSF leaks. Layered wound approximation is particularly important in patients with risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, malnutrition, prior radiotherapy, or long-term corticosteroid therapy.