Enhanced Cosmetic Outcome with Running Horizontal Mattress Sutures

Abstract

In primary closures of the face, the running horizontal mattress suture is a cosmetically elegant alternative to a traditional running cutaneous suture. The final scar appears smoother and flatter than those produced by traditional simple running sutures.

Set-back versus buried vertical mattress suturing: Results of a randomized blinded trial

“…5 Comparing 2 different interventions within the same wound is an elegant way of minimizing uncontrolled confounders and reducing the number of patients necessary to detect a statistically significant difference in outcome measures. In our study, we primarily evaluated the cosmetic outcomes of the scars 3 months after surgery.…”

Suturing Techniques for Optimal Surgical Outcomes

“…This suture is performed by throwing cuticular sutures in opposite directions with exposed suture running parallel to the wound edge. A variant on the HMS is the running horizontal mattress (RHM) suture which is performed as consecutive horizontal mattress sutures stretching the length of the wound with knots only at the beginning and end [20]. The RHM allows for even distribution of tension and pressure over the length of the suture but may also increase the risk of epidermal necrosis.…”

Suture Products and Techniques

“…[46][47][48] In closures and locations where more eversion is needed, such as the nasal bridge, an interrupted or running horizontal mattress suture may be used (Figure 7). 49 In areas of natural concavity, such as the alar crease and scaphoid fossa, wound inversion is preferred and a simple interrupted or inverted horizontal mattress suture is useful.…”