[Long-term results of suture-free cutanous wound closure in head and neck incisions with octylcyanoacrylate topival skin adhesive].
BACKGROUND
Cyanoacrylate monomers have been developed for use as skin adhesives. So far, little is known about long-term results concerning functional and aesthetic results of wound closure with octylcyanoacrylate in head and neck region.


METHODS
In a prospective, non-randomized study we examined in 59 patients who had undergone surgery in the face and the neck in between 04/99 and 05/00 at the ENT-Department, University of Aachen, Germany. The aesthetic and functional outcome of a cutanous wound closure by use of octylcyanoacrylate was evaluated. Patients were seen preoperatively, postoperatively and in a long-term follow-up (average 7.2 months) for wound control, photographs, and evaluation with a standardized questionnary.


RESULTS
In 40 cases a complete follow-up was possible. There were 33 patients (82.5 %) satisfied with the aesthetic and the functional results of wound closure. In four patients (10 %) early complications developed but did not have an impact on the cosmetic result. Three patients showed alterations as hypertrophic scar or persisting redness of the scar in the long-term follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Octylcyanoacrylate tissue adhesive was found to be an effective method of skin closure in clean head and neck incisions. It is a fast and simple method of wound closure, providing good cosmetic results with a low infection rate.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003487:Cyanoacrylates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; C119247:octylcyanoacrylate
Ergebnisse des Wundverschlusses mit Octylcyanoacrylat-Gewebekleber im HNO-Bereich.