Purse-string versus linear closure of the skin wound following stoma reversal: A meta-analysis with RCT and systematic review

Background: Linear closure (LC) following stoma reversal is associated with a high risk of surgical site infection (SSI). Purse-string closure and LC were both positive for the closure of the skin wound following stoma reversal, and it was not yet possible to distinguish which one was more beneficial to the patient's prognosis. Methods:We conducted a search in Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library and conducted a randomized controlled experiment from the inception of each database to July 2024. Among them, the SSI within 30 days, operation time, hospitalization time, incisional hernia, and wound healing time were all outcome indicators. Results: Eleven studies were included in this meta-analysis (506 patients in the purse-string closure group and 489 patients in the LC group). The pooled data showed that the SSI rate was significantly lower in the purse-string closure group than in the LC group (odds ratio, 0.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.24; P < .00001; I-2 = 0%). The differences in operative time, hospitalization time, incision hernia, and wound healing time were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Overall, purse-string closure had a significantly lower SSI rate following stoma reversal than LC.