Understanding patient concerns regarding skin surgery during the Covid-19 pandemic is a vital way of learning from individual experiences. A shift towards using absorbable superficial sutures has been anecdotally observed.

We explored patient attitudes to the use of absorbable sutures and their experiences and perceptions of attending for skin surgery during the pandemic. 35 participants were interviewed (74% male, 100% White British, mean age 72.5 years; range 43–95 years).

Participants were reassured by precautions taken to minimise exposure and risk from Covid-19. The majority (86%) did not feel that personal protective equipment worn by staff impaired their experience. 29% reported their experience of attending for skin surgery during the lockdown period was more efficient and organised than on pre-pandemic visits. 94% of participants would opt to have absorbable sutures again or had no strong preference for either suture type. Based on their experiences, most participants would have no concerns about attending for further skin surgery during the pandemic and would opt to have absorbable sutures.