Abstract: Objective　To explore whether the Nice knot can replace the skin distractor in repairing small and medium-sized skin and soft tissue defects by comparing the Nice knot with the skin distractor in the repair of small and medium-sized skin and soft tissue defects. Methods　A total of 60 patients with various small and medium sized skin and soft tissue defects were selected from July 2019 to June 2020. All of skin and soft tissue defects were caused by trauma. According to the treatment methods, the patients were divided into 2 groups, with 30 patients in each group. The patients in group A were treated with Nice knot, and both sides of the wound were fixed with elastic plaster. The suture was tightened every 3 days until the wound healed. The patients in group B were treated with a skin distractor. The operative time, amount of blood loss, operation cost, healing time, wound healing grade A and B rates, wound healing rate 14 days after surgery, VSS score and good and good rate of wound scar were compared between the 2 groups. Results　There were no significant differences in operative time, intraoperative blood loss and wound healing time between the two groups. The operative cost was significantly higher in group B than that of group A (P < 0.01). There were no statistical significances in grade A and grade B wound healing rate, wound healing rate 14 days after surgery, postoperative VSS score and good scar healing rate between the two groups. Conclusion　Nice knot in the treatment of small and medium-sized skin and soft tissue defects has lower cost and lower requirements for medical conditions. It can replace the skin distractor to repair small and medium-sized skin and soft tissue defects.

Key words: soft tissue injuries, wound closure techniques, Nice knot, elastic application, skin distractor, skin soft tissue defect, wound healing