Intradermal Suture Versus Stapling for Groin Skin Closure in Vascular Surgery (VASC-INF Trial)

Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most frequent and fearsome complications in vascular surgery due to its high morbidity and mortality. In addition, SSI is one of the factors related to the development of prosthetic infection. Consequently, it represents a significant increase in hospital stay and healthcare costs. A 2021 meta-analysis on groin SSI prevention strategies in arterial surgeries reported that using intradermal sutures could be associated with a lower SSI rate. The published results from a single-center retrospective study comparing SSI rates before and after implementing an SSI prevention protocol also suggest better outcomes with intradermal suturing. This study aims to assess the SSI incidences of both skin closure techniques in vascular surgery patients undergoing femoral artery approach through a perpendicular groin skin incision.