Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria included any randomised or non-randomised trials
comparing the cosmetic outcomes of sutures, staples, surgical tape, or
tissue glue in Otolaryngology head and neck procedures. Included studies
were performed in adult patients undergoing any elective head and neck
operation including neck dissection, wide local excision, open lymph
node biopsy, laryngectomy, pharyngectomy, parotidectomy, and
submandibular gland excision. No limitations were set on year of
publication, patient ethnicity, or surgical techniques.
Studies that investigated cosmetic outcomes thyroid and parathyroid,
oral and maxillofacial, facial plastic, and emergency surgery were not
included. Additionally, conference abstracts, letters to editor,
responses, and unpublished data were also excluded. Studies were also
removed if they lacked sufficient data on the operation, patient
demographics or post-operative cosmetic outcomes.