Long-term appearance of lacerations repaired using a tissue adhesive

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Wound Healing
• Dermatologic Surgery

Background:

• Histoacryl Blue (HAB) offers advantages over traditional suturing for pediatric laceration repair, including reduced repair time, less pain, and no need for suture removal.
• While short-term cosmetic outcomes are similar, the long-term results of HAB compared to sutures require further investigation due to potential discrepancies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the long-term cosmetic outcomes of Histoacryl Blue (HAB) versus conventional suturing for pediatric laceration repair.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted with children requiring laceration repair.
• Exclusion criteria included age (<1 or >18 years), laceration length (>5 cm), and location in high-tension areas.
• Patients were randomized to receive either skin sutures or HAB for closure, with cosmetic outcomes assessed by blinded plastic surgeons at 2-month and 1-year follow-ups.

Main Results:

• Sixty-one children were enrolled (30 HAB, 31 sutures).
• Cosmetic appearance was comparable between HAB and suture groups at both 2-month and 1-year follow-ups, as evaluated by blinded plastic surgeons.
• Follow-up patient groups were comparable to those lost to follow-up regarding treatment, demographics, wound characteristics, and initial satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Histoacryl Blue (HAB) is a suitable alternative for the cutaneous closure of low-tension pediatric lacerations.
• Long-term cosmetic outcomes of HAB are comparable to conventional suturing.
• HAB offers an effective and aesthetically pleasing option for pediatric wound management.