Surgical wound closure in orthopaedic surgery: operative techniques and adjunctive treatment modalities

Surgical wound complications are a significant problem in orthopaedic surgery with wound infection, dehiscence, and poor cosmesis contributing significantly to patient morbidity. Surgical techniques and adjunctive modalities continue to be introduced with the goals of avoiding these issues, and an increasing number of research studies have been undertaken to characterize clinical outcomes. A thorough understanding of surgical wound closure strategies and the efficacy of available techniques and treatment options should help decrease complication rates and improve patient outcomes.