10 Reasons to Explore New Wound Closure Options for In-Office Procedures

Dermatologists may perform a number of in-office procedures that result in wounds, including biopsies and mole excisions. Traditional options for repairing these wounds include sutures, staples, adhesive strips, and other suture types. However, traditional wound care methods have several drawbacks, including cost, time, and patient limitations.

New wound closure options, such as the microMend bandage, offer benefits for both dermatologists and patients. Keep reading to learn the top 10 reasons to explore microMend as a new wound closure option.

1. Reduce Supply Costs

New wound closure options are more cost-effective than traditional suture types. A suture kit and necessary anesthesia costs between $20 and $30 for each patient. Closing wounds with microMend costs half as much. Reducing supply costs can help dermatology clinics improve their profit margins.

2. Perform Faster Procedures

Closing wounds left by biopsies, mole excisions, or other dermatological procedures may be time consuming. Suturing a wound typically takes around 50 seconds per centimeter, but dermatologists using microMend can close wounds about 7 times faster according to a clinical study. Finishing procedures more quickly can help dermatologists see more patients during clinic hours.

3. Free Up Physician Time

Suturing wounds is a minor surgical procedure that may be outside the scope of practice of non-physician healthcare professionals. Unlike sutures, closing wounds with microMend requires minimal training. This makes it possible for other clinic staff, such as nursing assistants and registered nurses, to close wounds, which frees up time for dermatologists to handle more specialized or complex procedures.

4. Improve Cosmetic Results

Cosmetic results are top-of-mind for patients at a dermatology clinic. Traditional sutures and staples may leave conspicuous scars on patients’ skin, such as dots on either side of a scar or horizontal lines across the length of the scar. New wound closure options reduce these concerns. In a clinical study, microMend received high ratings from both patients and independent dermatologists for cosmetic outcomes. 

5. Reduce Wound Closure Pain

Closing wounds with traditional sutures or staples can be painful for patients, often requiring local or topical anesthesia to keep patients comfortable. New wound closure options offer a less painful solution—even eliminating the need for anesthesia in many cases. That's because the microMend bandage is secured with tiny microstaples, so patients may feel little or no pain when it’s applied.

6. Simplify Aftercare for Patients

Patients may be required to follow specific aftercare steps after receiving traditional sutures or staples. While these steps may help them keep the wound clean and prevent infection, some patients may find them confusing. The microMend bandage covers the wound and remains in place while it heals. This reduces at-home wound care for patients. 

7. Manage Wounds On Fragile Skin

Wounds in patients who have delicate skin, such as older adults, may pose challenges for dermatologists since the skin may be too fragile to suture without tearing. With traditional wound care methods, dermatologists have had to rely on workarounds such as bolsters or adhesive strips to support the sutures. microMend is a simple wound closure method that is gentle enough to close wounds on fragile skin. 

8. Easily Reposition Wound Edges

Once wounds are repaired with traditional wound closure options, it's difficult to reposition the skin. This could leave dermatologists with few options if they’re not satisfied with wound closure. The microMend bandage can be easily removed and replaced, meaning dermatologists can re-attempt closure if the wound edges aren’t optimally aligned.

9. Reduce Risk of Sharps Injuries

Needlestick and sharps injuries are a serious occupational hazard in dermatology clinics. Suture needles are the most common cause of these injuries, which often occur when loading, adjusting, or passing needle drivers. The microMend wound closure device is a needle-free alternative to sutures which can help dermatologists reduce their risk of injury.

10. Reduce Follow-Up Visits

Traditional suture types, such as stitches that don’t dissolve, generally require a follow-up visit with a physician to perform suture removal. In contrast, the microMend bandage can be easily removed by patients at home. This means patients don’t need to return to the clinic unless they notice wound healing complications. Not only is this more convenient for patients, but it helps dermatologists save appointment times for patients who need them.

Try microMend for In-Office Wound Closure

From lower costs and faster procedures to higher patient satisfaction, there are many reasons to explore new wound closure options in dermatology clinics. The microMend bandage is a high-tech wound closure device that can help dermatologists quickly and securely repair wounds. To get started, please request a quote today.

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