Effects of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives on cartilage graft viability

Cartilage graft fixation using cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives has aided in the accuracy and stability of these grafts in facial reconstructive procedures. To objectively determine how these adhesives affect cartilage viability, freshly harvested cartilage from septoplasty procedures was bonded in vitro with one of four cyanoacrylate adhesives: Histoacryl, Bucrylate, Krazy Glue, or Eastman 910 monomer. Viable chondrocytes will incorporate the sulfur-35 (35S) isotope in the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate, and is therefore a reliable test of cartilage viability. The bonded cartilage specimens were stored from 3 days to 4 weeks at 4 degrees C and then were incubated with the 35S isotope. Autoradiographs were made and the sections were counterstained. Throughout the study period, there was no statistical difference in the viability of Histoacryl-bonded specimens as compared to the controls. Specimens bonded with Bucrylate, Krazy Glue, and Eastman 910 monomer statistically demonstrated markedly less viability compared to those bonded with Histoacryl at the P = .01 level of significance. Further, the cartilage separated from these latter adhesives at the longer study times, most likely secondary to cartilage devitalization. Histoacryl optimizes graft viability as compared to these other available cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives in vitro.