Many methods of skin closure and improved suture removal have been proposed in the past, and to review them would represent an unwelcome waste of the reader's time. The method herein proposed is designed to aid wound closure by stabilizing and supporting the wound edges during suture placement and to aid in the process of suture removal at a later date.
For this technique, the wound is closed in a routine manner, including closure of the subcutaneous layers. Just prior to placement of the skin suture, the skin edges are cleansed and sterile tapes are placed parallel to the wound edge. These are placed extending to the ends of the incision and are 0.625 to 1.25 cm wide (Figure, Left, Sterile paper tapes are placed parallel to wound edge. Center, Skin sutures are placed through paper tapes and tied in routine manner. Right, Second layer of tape is placed over