Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
Preliminary experience with 2-octylcyanoacrylate in a pediatric emergency department
1Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital and Clinics, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404, USA. kresch@msn.com
Insights
Octylcyanoacrylate (OCA) tissue adhesives are effective for pediatric laceration repair in emergency departments. This method offers convenience, good parental satisfaction, and reduced patient wait times, making it a valuable wound closure technique.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Pediatric Care
- Wound Management
Background:
- Octylcyanoacrylate (OCA) tissue adhesives offer an alternative to traditional wound closure methods.
- Evaluating the efficacy and safety of OCA in a pediatric emergency setting is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the use of octylcyanoacrylate adhesives in a pediatric emergency department.
- To assess patient selection, complication rates, and parent satisfaction with OCA use.
- To analyze the impact of OCA on patient throughput and departmental efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective and concurrent chart review of 100 pediatric patients treated with 2-octylcyanoacrylate (2-OCA).
- Telephone follow-up was conducted for all patients.
- Analysis included patient demographics, laceration characteristics, complications, and parent feedback.
Main Results:
- 16% of wounds were repaired using 2-OCA in patients with an average age of 4.7 years and laceration size of 1.2 cm.
- Complications included minor dehiscence, eyelid adhesions, wound infections, hematoma, and keloid formation.
- Parental preference for tissue adhesive repair was high, and average patient time in the department decreased significantly (106 to 69 minutes).
Conclusions:
- Octylcyanoacrylate adhesives demonstrated effective performance in a pediatric emergency department setting.
- OCA is a valuable addition to wound closure techniques due to convenience, acceptable infection rates, and high parental satisfaction.
- Awareness and avoidance of potential pitfalls during early use are essential for optimal outcomes.
Objective:
Documentation of use of octylcyanoacrylate adhesives in a pediatric emergency department with reference to patient selection, complications, and parent satisfaction.
Design:
Retrospective and concurrent chart review of the first 100 patients on which 2-octylcyanoacrylate (2-OCA, Dermabonda) was used in a pediatric emergency department. Additional telephone follow-up was performed for each patient.
Results:
The average patient age was 4.7 years, average laceration size 1.2 cm. Sixteen percent of wounds were repaired with 2-OCA. Three immediate complications involved a minor dehiscence and two eyelid adhesions. Two wound infections and a patient with hematoma and keloid formation were identified as later complications. The vast majority of parents preferred tissue adhesive repair to sutures. Time in department was reduced from 106 minutes to 69 minutes on average (P < 0.0001, CI 26-52).
Conclusions:
Octylcyanoacrylate adhesives performed well in the daily practice of a pediatric emergency department, and were used for a significant percentage of laceration closures. Convenience, average infection rates, and good parental satisfaction make tissue adhesives a valuable addition to our wound closure techniques. Certain pitfalls occurring during early experience with these adhesives can be recognized and avoided.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management