The Kuwait Stitch aka the Stitching Method for Everted Skin Wound Closure is a patented surgical skin-closure technique invented by Kuwaiti orthopedic surgeon Muthana Mithqal Sartawi. [1] [2] The method is designed to create controlled eversion of skin edges to improve epidermal and dermal tissue approximation during wound closure, optimize cosmetic and functional healing, and reduce postoperative complications associated with surgical skin incisions. [1] The Kuwait Stitch is recognized as the first patented surgical innovation registered under the name of the State of Kuwait. [3] [4]
Suturing methods for deep or multilayered surgical wounds play a central role in distributing tension and ensuring optimal healing. Conventional superficial wound closure techniques may allow the edges of the wound to roll inward, which can negatively affect both the strength and aesthetic quality of the healed incision. Sartawi developed the Kuwait Stitch to counter these issues by incorporating a suturing configuration that maintains outward eversion of the wound edges throughout the healing process, thereby promoting improved biomechanical stability. [5]
The Kuwait Stitch was conceived and refined through Sartawi's work in orthopedic and joint replacement surgery, where controlling wound tension is vital to patient recovery and long-term outcomes. The technique evolved through clinical observation and iterative application, eventually forming a standardized method for deep-wound closure. Sartawi submitted the technique for patent review, resulting in approval in the United States. The patent brought international visibility to the innovation and marked a notable milestone as the first surgical method patented under Kuwait's name. [3]
The Kuwait Stitch uses a distinctive suture path designed to produce deliberate eversion of the wound edges. The configuration allows the surgeon to capture deep layers of tissue while minimizing trauma to the incision margins, promoting a more even distribution of tension across the wound. This eversion counteracts the natural tendency of wound edges to fold inward and is intended to enhance healing strength, reduce the likelihood of dehiscence, and improve aesthetic results. A detailed biomechanical explanation and early clinical outcomes of the technique were published in a peer-reviewed surgical journal. [6]
Clinical use of the Kuwait Stitch has been documented in orthopedic procedures, trauma surgeries, and deep soft-tissue closures where layered approximation is required. Surgeons implementing the method have reported improved wound-edge alignment, greater resistance to tension forces, and a lower incidence of complications such as wound dehiscence. Early clinical feedback indicates that the technique offer advantages in both functional and cosmetic outcomes when compared with traditional skin incision suturing approaches. [7]
In 2023, the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, honored Sartawi for developing the technique and securing its international patent registration. [8] [9]