Brief Summary
Fragile or thin skin can tear while suturing under tension. Tissue adhesive tapes such as Steri-StripsTM are helpful, but may not have the tensile strength necessary for wound closure. The following technique combines the strength of suture material with the use of adhesive tape.Indications
Medium- to high-tension wounds in patients with fragile skin such as the elderly or chronic steroid users.Contraindications
Allergy to skin adhesive tape.Technique Description
- Lay tissue adhesive tape in parallel to the wound along the wound edges
- Throw the needle through the tape to suture the wound closed using the simple interrupted technique
Alternate Technique

An alternative technique with adhesive tape oriented perpendicular to the wound.
- Lay tissue adhesive tape perpendicular to the wound on one wound edge
- Using tension, pull the wound closed with the tape and secure the tissue adhesive on the far side of the wound
- Repeat steps one and two until the wound edges are opposed
- Suture through the tape to further reduce tension using the simple interrupted technique