ABSTRACT
Dermabond(r) (2-Octylcyanoacrylate) has an eight-carbon alkyl derivative that is less inflammative and stronger than its short chain derivatives (i.e. 2-Butylcyanoacrylate, Histoacryl(r)). This study is to compare a tissue adhesive, 2-octylcyanoacrylate (Dermabond(r)), with conventional wound closure techniques for hand trauma. Thirty-eight patients presenting to Asan Medical Center Emergency Department with hand trauma from March 2003 to June 2003 were enrolled into this prospective clinical trial study. These patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either 2-octylcyanoacrylate or 5-0 monofilament sutures. The two groups were similar in both clinical and demographic characteristics. Photography taken at three months after treatment was rated by two plastic surgeons blinded to the method of closure. There was no difference between the two groups for appearance scores based on a visual analog scale (73.3mm for 2-octylcyanoacrylate versus 69.9mm for 5-0 monofilament sutures). The length of time for skin repair was similar between these two groups. (9.2 minutes for 2-octylcyanoacrylate versus 8.9 minutes for 5-0 monofilament sutures) Moreover, the use of 2-octylcyanoacrylate obviates the need for suture removal. In conclusion, the use of 2-octylcyanoacrylate for hand skin repair is an acceptable alternative, which includes many advantages to conventional suturing with a comparable cosmetic outcome.