ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Octyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Dermabond(TM)) as a topical skin adhesive for pediatric urologic open surgery. METHODS: From August 2010 to August 2011, we retrospectively evaluated pediatric patients who underwent urologic open surgery at our institution. A total of 128 pediatric patients with 210 incisions used Dermabond(TM) for skin closure. RESULTS: We divided the 128 patients into 3 groups according to type of surgery. Group 1 underwent hydrocelectomy (55 cases, 41.3%), Group 2 underwent orchiopexy (43 cases, 32.3%), Group 3 underwent penoplasty (35 cases, 26.4%). One hundred and twenty eight patients who underwent 133 surgeries in total, with a total of 210 incisions visited our outpatient department postoperatively, and a total of 5 wound complications (2.3%) occurred, but were simple inflammations and no dehiscence was observed. When analyzed according to groups, no wound problems occurred in Group 1 (0/55, 0%), one occurred in Group 2 (1/43, 2.3%) and four cases occurred in Group 3 (4/35, 11.4%) respectively. When re-analyzed according to wound locations, one occurred in an inguinal wound (1/120, 0.83%), none occurred in scrotal wounds (0/55, 0%), and four occurred in penile wounds (4/35, 11.4%). In Group 3, the incidence of penile wounds was significantly increased compared to other groups (P=0.008). All 5 wound problems were inflammatory and healed at an average of 13.8 days (13-15 days) with antibiotic ointment application only. CONCLUSION: Dermabond(TM) is feasible and safe topical skin adhesive alternative to standard skin suture in pediatric urologic surgery. However, further research about its efficacy and safety could be valuable in the future.