Efficacy of tissue glue for laceration repair in an animal model.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of butyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue glue (TG) for the repair of skin lacerations in rats with the efficacy of standard closure with sutures.


METHODS
In a prospective study, eight rats were anesthetized and an 8-cm dorsal incision was made on each side of the midline. One wound was closed with a single layer of interrupted 5-0 Prolene suture and one by application of TG. The time required to close each wound was recorded. Sutures were removed at seven days; the TG was allowed to fall off spontaneously. The animals were sacrificed after 20 days and the wounds were judged for cosmetic outcome. Four I x 3-cm strips of skin were excised from each wound; one strip for histologic analysis and three for load extension testing using a tensiometer. Specimens were loaded to wound failure while displacement (D) and energy absorption (EA) were recorded. The paired t-test was used for comparisons and reported as mean +/- SE. No significant difference between TG and suture was found in D (6.5 +/- 0.4 vs 5.2 (1.4 mm), EA (0.18 +/- 0.01 vs 0.17 +/- 0.03 kg x mm/cm2), or histologic features. The closure time was significantly less using TG (66 +/- 5 vs 401 +/- 17 sec; p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
1) Sutures and TG in rat skin repair result in similar wound strengths (EA), amounts of stretch (D), and histologic feasures. 2) Wound closure is accomplished much more rapidly with TG.
Yaron
M
M
Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado Health, Sciences Center, Denver 80262, USA.
Erin
M H
MH
Huffer
W
W
Cairns
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003487:Cyanoacrylates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D022125:Lacerations / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D014014:Tissue Adhesives