OBJECTIVE: To compare skin closure with staples and subcuticular suture. STUDY DESIGN: Obstetric patients undergoing cesarean section with a Pfannenstiel incision were prospectively randomized to skin closure with staples or subcuticular suture. Pain and cosmesis were assessed postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients reported significantly less pain following subcuticular closure at both the time of discharge (P < or = .01) and the postoperative visit (P < or = .002). Incisions closed with subcuticular suture were found to be more cosmetically attractive by both patients (P = .04) and physicians (P = .01) at the postoperative visit. CONCLUSION: Pfannenstiel skin incisions closed with subcuticular closure following cesarean section result in less postoperative discomfort and are more cosmetically appealing at the six-week postoperative visit as compared to incisions closed with staples.