Effect of Mixing Methods on the Characteristics of N-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate and Ethiodized Oil Mixtures

This study aims to evaluate the effects of different mixing techniques on the characteristics of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and ethiodized oil mixtures.

Two mixing techniques were compared: the hand-stirring method (manual mixing of NBCA and ethiodized oil in a medicine cup) and the syringe-pumping method (emulsification of NBCA and ethiodized oil using a 10-mL syringe with a 3-way stopcock). The flow and polymerization times were measured, and variance analysis (F-test) was performed to assess the differences in the variability of the results between the two methods. Mixture homogeneity and particle distribution were examined.

The syringe-pumping method yielded significantly a faster flow time (19.9 ± 1.33 s vs. 28.1 ± 5.77 s, p < 0.001) and polymerization time (102.4 ± 4.9 s vs. 123.3 ± 28.9 s, p < 0.001) than the hand-stirring method. Variance analysis revealed differences in both flow time (F = 104.37, p < 0.001) and polymerization time (F = 63.53, p < 0.001) between the two groups. The syringe-pumping method produced a more homogeneous mixture with a greater number of particles.

Syringe-pumping produces more consistent and homogenous NBCA and ethiodized oil emulsion with faster flow and polymerization characteristics than hand-stirring. These findings suggest that syringe-pumping enhances the efficacy and reliability of embolization procedures.