The purpose of this study is to determine whether complex linear closure vs second intention healing for cutaneous wounds below the knee affects esthetic outcomes (primary outcome). As secondary outcome, the study team plans to look at patient quality of life measures and complications. This will be a prospective, 2-arm, randomized, evaluator-blinded clinical trial. One half of the patients will receive repair by complex linear closure and the other half of the patients will undergo second intention healing. Three-months post-surgery, the scar will be evaluated via the patient observer scar assessment scale (POSAS), a validated scar instrument, as well as the trace-to-tape method, an objective outcome measure for linear postoperative scars. In addition, patients will be provided a validated quality of life survey to complete. Any adverse events will also be recorded.
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POSAS
Timeframe: 3-12 months
Mean Scar Width
Timeframe: 3-12 months