A randomized, controlled trial comparing a tissue adhesive with suturing in the repair of pediatric facial lacerations.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the tissue adhesive Histoacryl Blue with suturing in the repair of pediatric facial lacerations.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Emergency department of a pediatric teaching hospital.


METHODS
Eighty-one children presenting with clean facial lacerations less than 4 cm in length and 0.5 cm in width.


METHODS
Patients were allocated randomly to have their lacerations repaired with sutures or Histoacryl Blue.


RESULTS
The two groups were similar for demographic and clinical characteristics. Photographs taken at three months were rated by two plastic surgeons blinded to the method of closure. There was no difference between groups for appearance scores on a visual analog scale (60.5 mm for Histoacryl Blue versus 57.2 mm for suture, P = .45) or on a categorical scale (Histoacryl Blue versus sutures: unacceptable, 11% versus 13%; acceptable, 59% versus 71%; excellent, 30% versus 16%; P = .76). Measures of observer agreement produced Pearson correlations of .72 and .94 on the visual analog scale and kappa coefficients of .46 and .73 on the categorical scale. Histoacryl Blue was assessed as less painful on a visual analog scale (24.7 versus 43.7 mm, P < .01) and faster (7.9 versus 15.6 minutes, P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Histoacryl Blue is a faster and less painful method of facial laceration repair that has cosmetic results similar to the use of sutures.
Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
J V
JV
Quinn
A
A
Drzewiecki
M M
MM
Li
I G
IG
Stiell
T
T
Sutcliffe
T J
TJ
Elmslie
W E
WE
Wood
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003487:Cyanoacrylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004954:Esthetics; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D013537:Sutures; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003487:Cyanoacrylates