Abstract
The selection of epidermal closure material in dermatologic surgery is influenced by multiple factors, including the type of material (absorbable vs. non-absorbable, and tissue adhesive), tension, postoperative bleeding/infection risk, cosmetic outcome and cost. This review article focuses on the different epidermal closure materials commonly utilized in dermatologic surgery and examines their impact on cosmetic outcome, infection rate and cost. Tissue adhesives provide comparable cosmetic outcomes to sutures and may offer a slight advantage in certain cases. Infection rates are lower with tissue adhesives due to their bactericidal properties, while absorbable and non-absorbable sutures show similar infection risks. Cost analysis reveals minor differences, with tissue adhesives and sutures having comparable overall expenses when factoring in material costs and follow-up care. The choice of closure material should be guided by wound characteristics, patient preference, and clinical context.