Preliminary in vitro evaluation of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond) to seal corneal incisions.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of Dermabond with conventional nylon sutures for sealing linear corneal incisions.


METHODS
A keratome knife was used to create a 4-mm full-thickness linear corneal incision anterior to the limbal arcade in 20 fresh pig eyes. The incision was sealed with Dermabond tissue adhesive or closed with 10-0 nylon sutures. A 27-gauge needle connected via tubing to a bottle containing balanced salt solution (BSS) was inserted into the anterior chamber. Infusion pressure was controlled by varying the height of the column of BSS. The tensile strength of the incisions was measured by increasing the infusion pressure to the point where leakage was noted.


RESULTS
The mean height at which leakage was detected was 100.20 +/- 31.19 cm H(2)O (equivalent to a pressure of 73.70 +/- 22.99 mm Hg) for the nylon suture group (n = 10 eyes) and 113.80 +/- 31.20 cm H(2)O (equivalent to a pressure of 83.71 +/- 22.95 mm Hg) for the Dermabond group (n = 10 eyes). The difference was not significant (P = 0.343).


CONCLUSIONS
The mean leakage pressures were comparable for the 2 groups. Either method of closure should be able to withstand any postoperative increases in intraocular pressure. Dermabond adhesive may be considered as an alternative to conventional sutures in corneal wound closure.
Leung
Gloria Y S
GY
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, People's Republic of China.
Peponis
Vasileios
V
Varnell
Emily D
ED
Lam
Dennis S C
DS
Kaufman
Herbert E
HE
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003487:Cyanoacrylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013552:Swine; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; C100832:octyl 2-cyanoacrylate