Cleft lip repair without suture removal

The disadvantages of using non-absorbable sutures in cleft lip repair include a need for additional dressings, return to the ward for removal of the sutures under sedation or general anaesthetic and the problem of distressing the child and potentially disrupting the repair. Modern medical adhesives represent an alternative adjunctive technique for skin closure and their use was adopted by this unit in 2005. A few 'key' interrupted sutures of 7/0 Vicryl Rapide followed by layers of a cyanoacrylate adhesive, Dermabond, were used instead of more traditional methods. An audit of the results of cleft lip repairs from this period of change was conducted. Subjective and objective data were collected and are presented to justify the continued use of this technique in the Newcastle Cleft Lip and Palate Unit.