Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive for closing skin wounds: a double blind randomized comparison with sutures

A comparative double blind randomized study was undertaken in the rat, to compare the external cosmetic and the morphologic aspect of skin wounds, treated by the local application of adhesive glue (ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate-Mediglue) or classical suture technique. Skin incisions were applied and treated by a plastic surgeon, then photographed or biopsied, and evaluated and scored by independent observers, not aware of the initial treatment. Small (1.5 cm) or long (8 cm) incisions were made, on both sides of the back, and treated randomly on one side by glue and on the other side by sutures. Evaluations were performed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 wk. Both small and large wounds scored identically, irrespective of the treatment (overall score 1.5 cm wounds: 8.8 +/- 1.4 for glue versus 8.8 +/- 1.0 for sutures; 8 cm wounds: 8.3 +/- 1.9 versus 8.3 +/- 1.5; P = not significant). A morphological study demonstrated no adverse effects for the adhesive treatment, with a minor inflammatory infiltrate. Sutured wounds had a higher tendency to develop abscesses and/or major inflammation. Adhesive-treated wounds scored better than non-treated wounds (8.9 +/- 1.3 versus 7.4 +/- 3.3, P < 0.01). In conclusion, this controlled comparative study shows no difference in cosmetic aspect between adhesive and suture-treated skin incisions. Morphologically, the glue treatment is not related to any adverse effect or damage to the skin structures.