Tissue adhesives: a new method of wound repair

Simple traumatic lacerations are one of the most common reasons for visits to the emergency department. Traditionally, wound repair has been performed using sutures. The use of tissue adhesives is an approved and popular alternative method of wound closure in several countries. Numerous published studies have found that, with appropriate use, repair of lacerations using tissue adhesives is faster, less painful, and more economical than suturing. Tissue adhesives result in fewer wound infections than suturing, and cosmetic outcomes have been comparable to or better than suturing. The newest product, 2-octylcyanoacrylate, received Food and Drug Administration approval in 1998 and is being marketed in the United States. The technique of wound repair with tissue adhesives is easily mastered and is a useful skill in the management of simple lacerations. This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature on the use of tissue adhesives and discusses them as an alternative to traditional methods of wound repair.