An in-vivo study of the wound-bursting strengths of octyl-cyanoacrylate, butyl-cyanoacrylate, and surgical tape in rats.
BACKGROUND
Several non-invasive wound-closure devices are available. Clinical studies of low-tension lacerations suggest similar clinical outcomes with these devices.


OBJECTIVE
We compared the wound-bursting strengths (WBS) of octyl-cyanoacrylate (Dermabond), butyl-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl Blue), and adhesive tape (Steri-Strips).


METHODS
Design-randomized, controlled, blinded experiment. Setting-university-based division of laboratory animal research. Subjects-15 Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-350 g. Interventions-standardized 2-cm full-thickness incisions were made in duplicate on both sides of the rat's dorsum with a #15 surgical blade and closed with one of the three study wound-closure devices following manufacturer instructions. The order of closure was randomized. Measurements-WBS was measured after wound closure with a validated vacuum-controlled wound chamber device (BT-2000) that measures the pressure required to disrupt the closed wound. Data analysis-between-group comparisons were performed with pair-wise t-tests and chi-squared tests. This study had 80% power to detect a 75-mm Hg between-group difference in WBS (two-tailed alpha = 0.05).


RESULTS
We evaluated 30 incisions in 15 rats. The mean WBS of octyl-cyanoacrylate (298 +/- 58 mm Hg) was significantly higher than that of butyl-cyanoacrylate (199 +/- 87 mm Hg; difference 98 mm Hg [95% confidence interval (CI) 32-165], p = 0.006) or Steri-Strips (129 +/- 67 mm Hg; difference 169 mm Hg [95% CI 112-227], p < 0.001). The WBS of butyl-cyanoacrylate was stronger than that of Steri-Strips; difference 71 mm Hg (95% CI 4-138), p = 0.035.


CONCLUSIONS
Octyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive has a higher WBS than butyl-cyanoacrylate, whose WBS is greater than that of surgical tape.
Taira
Breena R
BR
Department of Emergency Medicine, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8350, USA.
Singer
Adam J
AJ
Rooney
Jean
J
Steinhauff
Nicole T
NT
Zimmerman
Thomas
T
D000818:Animals; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D004659:Enbucrilate; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D022125:Lacerations / Q000628:therapy; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D053832:Surgical Tape
D003487:Cyanoacrylates; C100832:octyl 2-cyanoacrylate; D004659:Enbucrilate