Stitches or not? study tests best way to heal after a skin biopsy
NCT ID NCT04623372
First seen Jul 01, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two ways of caring for a small skin biopsy wound: stitching it closed or letting it heal naturally with just a bandage. About 290 adults having a 4mm punch biopsy will be randomly assigned to one method. Doctors and patients will rate the scar's appearance and report pain during healing to see which approach works better.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If one method proves clearly better, it could simplify healing instructions and improve scar outcomes for millions of skin biopsies each year.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, single-center study comparing two common procedures, so results may not apply to all skin types or biopsy sizes. The outcome is based on subjective scar ratings.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
290 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Feb 2021
- Finished
-
Dec 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * adult person (age greater than or equal to 18 years) * either hospitalized patient in a conventional or in a day care department, either seen at a medical appointment in Le Mans General Hospital * person on whom the indication of one or several skin biopsy(ies) using a punch of 4 mm diameter has been established * affiliated or beneficiary of a statutory social insurance scheme * free and informed written consent, signed by both the participant and the investigator (the day of inclusion at the latest and prior to any examination needed by the protocol) after an oral and written information Exclusion Criteria: * skin biopsy on the face or the cervical area * pregnant, breastfeeding or parturient woman * person deprived of liberty by an administrative act or a court decision * patient requiring compulsory mental health care * minor or legally protected adult * patient that is no longer in a condition to express his or her wishes * person that have participated or that are taking part in an interventional study over the past 30 days (condition of exclusivity)
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Punch skin biopsy are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Centre Hospitalier Du Mans
Le Mans, 72000, France