Histopathological Comparison of 2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate and Primary Suturing for Tongue Lacerations

To enable tongue incisions to be repaired more easily, rapidly, and practically, particularly in pediatric patients by using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (OCA) tissue adhesive.

A single linear incision was made on the midline dorsal part of the tongue. Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into the four groups: Group 1 (n = 6), OCA healing at day 5; group 2 (n = 6), OCA healing at day 21; group 3 (n = 6), Vicryl healing at day 5; group 4 (n = 6), Vicryl healing at day 21. In groups 1 and 2, OCA was applied to the incision site. The incisions of the rats in groups 3 and 4 were closed using Vicryl sutures. Histopathological examination was compared between and within the groups at day 5 and 21.

The operation duration was significantly shorter with OCA than with Vicryl sutures(P < 0.001). Regarding the histopathological results, there were no differences between group 1 and group 3 in epithelial regeneration, inflammation, fibroblastic activity, edema, presence of giant cells, fibrin deposition, ulceration, abscess formation, and granulation tissue. However, moderate infiltration of acute inflammatory cells was significantly more frequent in group 1 than in group 3. At day 5, the incidence of moderate foreign body residue was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 3. No difference was observed between group 2 and group 4 at day 21 (P > 0.05).

OCA is a practical, rapid, and effective method for repairing tongue lacerations. Although infiltration by inflammatory cells and foreign bodies increased in the early period, the long-term results of OCA were indistinguishable from those of suturing.