title: A review of cyanoacrylate liquid skin protectant and its efficacy on pedal fissures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Skin fissures are a common dermatologic condition caused by excessive dry skin, numerous systemic diseases, and backless shoe gear. They are defects in skin that fall into the category of damaged, partial-thickness skin wounds, as opposed to full-thickness wounds. Patients with heel fissures are at an increased risk for developing infection, which could cause more severe issues, especially in patients with diabetes and peripheral vascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients from Temple Foot and Ankle Institute, Philadelphia, PA, with a total of 8 heel fissures and 2 hallux fissures, were studied. Patients were dispensed 9 vials of a cyanoacrylate liquid skin protectant (Marathon(™), Medline Industries, Inc, Mundelein, IL) to be applied to the fissure every 3 days. Patients returned every 2 weeks for follow-up in clinic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hallux fissures and 4 of the heel fissures went to complete closure after 2 weeks. There was an average decrease of 1.16 cm in length of the heel fissure dimensions after 2 weeks and an average decrease of 1.1 cm in length of the hallux fissures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This novel skin protectant proved to be a comfortable, easy, and effective tool in aiding the resolution of pedal skin fissures.
authors: Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors: Tracey C
authors: TC
authors: Vlahovic
authors: Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors: Elizabeth A
authors: EA
authors: Hinton
authors: Medline Industries, Inc., Mundelein, IL, USA.
authors: Debashish
authors: D
authors: Chakravarthy
authors: Medline Industries, Inc., Mundelein, IL, USA.
authors: Cynthia Ann
authors: CA
authors: Fleck
keywords: Partial-thickness skin damage; Skin; Skin fissure; Skin protectant