In Vivo Study of Wound Bursting Strength and Compliance of Topical Skin Adhesives

Abstract

Objectives: Over the past decade, the use of topical skin adhesives (TSA) for wound closure has increased. Among TSA characteristics, strength and flexibility are most important. Prior studies have compared the wound bursting strengths (WBSs) of the cyanoacrylates immediately after wound closure. In this study the authors compared the WBS and flexibility of multiple TSAs immediately and up to 2 days after closure.Methods: This was a controlled animal experiment. Two-centimeter incisions were created on both sides of 210 Sprague-Dawley rats and randomly closed with one of five commercially available TSAs). WBS and TSA flexibility were measured using the BTC-2000 device immediately after closure and at 1 and 2 days after closure. WBS and TSA flexibility were compared across groups with analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: Wound bursting strengths were higher (p < 0.05) at 0, 1, and 2 days for D (274, 388, 232 mm Hg) than for all other TSAs (I 182, 225, and 107; H 189, 214, and 69; L 146, 118, and 75; or G 161, 150, and 73). TSA flexibility was also greater (p < 0.05) at 0, 1, and 2 days for D (36, 27, and 29 mm Hg ⁄ mm) than for all other TSAs (I 18, 14, and 12; H 18, 13, and 15; L 19, 14, and 12; G 26, 23, and 18). Conclusions:The octyl-cyanoacrylate-based adhesive is significantly stronger and more flexible than all the butyl-cyanoacrylate-based adhesives at 0, 1 and 2 days after closure.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE2008; 15:1290-1294 ª

A Comparative Study of the Surgically Relevant Mechanical Characteristics of the Topical Skin Adhesives

“…Previous biomechanical studies have used "loose skin" animal models, including the rat and guinea pig. [3][4][5] However, the structure of skin in these animals is unlike that of humans, and in particular, the presence of the underlying paniculus carnosa and the loose skin result in rapid and tension-free healing in these small animals. In contrast, the skin of pigs is thicker and, like in humans, does not contain the paniculus carnosa.…”

“…However, several prior studies have already reported the bursting strength using this adhesive. 4,5 Finally, while we have noted considerable differences among the studied TSA, the differences among the various commercially available skin adhesives might not have any clinically relevant effect on outcomes of wound care.…”

“…Indeed, several prior studies have consistently shown that the octylcyanoacrylate-based Dermabond TSA (Ethicon, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Bridgewater, NJ) is stronger and more flexible than any of the available butylcyanoacrylates. [3][4][5] However, the strength of the other recently introduced octylcyanoacrylates has not been reported in the literature. Furthermore, a formal assessment of the viscosity and setting times of various TSAs has not been reported.…”

Intradermal Running Suture versus 3M™ Vetbond™ Tissue Adhesive for Wound Closure in Rodents: A Biomechanical and Histological Study

“…The basic outcome of a study published by Singer et al [25] was that among tested glues the octylcyanoacrylate tissue adhesive is the strongest and most flexible glue. Nevertheless, the principal limitation of those studies is that the wound properties were measured just up to 2 days after closure.…”

“…Previously, the wound-breaking strengths after wound closure with a tissue adhesive based on cyanoacrylate either immediately after closure or 1 and 2 days after wounding were evaluated [21,25] . The basic outcome of a study published by Singer et al [25] was that among tested glues the octylcyanoacrylate tissue adhesive is the strongest and most flexible glue.…”