Durability of the bond between bone and various 2-cyanoacrylates in an aqueous environment

The durability of the bond strength developed between 2-cyanoacrylate esters and bone has been determined by aging specimens in water. One-day bond strength of the isobutyl and isomeric amyl 2-cyanoacrylates varied from 6.2 to 7.2 MPa. The strength of the bond decreased on storage or on thermocycling in water. Hydrolytic stability increased with increasing length of the alkyl ester group. After a six-month storage in water the various amyl 2-cyanoacrylates retained from 70% to 73% of their one-day bond strength. Pretreatment of the bone surface prior to application of the adhesive did not prove beneficial. The cured 2-cyanoacrylate can be removed from the substrate surface by appropriate solvents. Thus, it is not bonded covalently to bone. The bond strength, especially of the isobutyl and amyl 2-cyanoacrylates to bone in an aqueous environment, appears to be superior to other adhesives. Provided these monomers are biocompatible, they may be useful clinically where an intermediate-term adhesion is desired.