Use of cyanoacrylate in the coaptation of edges of surgical wounds

Abstract

Cyanoacrylate has been used in several fields of different surgical specialties as an adhesive for closure of gingival flaps and in mucous and cutaneous lacerations. One of its advantages is that it has an excellent immunological response. In view of aesthetic needs, cyanoacrylate has been applied with satisfactory results, when compared with sutures. It presents better coaptation of edges of cutaneous and mucosal lesions, smaller residual scars, and biocompatibility. However, it is limited to areas of little tissue tension. This work attempts to provide a literature review with the aim of revealing the advantages of using tissue adhesives, especially cyanoacrylates, in wound coaptation in comparison with conventional methods.

INTRODUCTION

Suturing is an important stage in surgery, since it favors and accelerates recuperation of the incised tissue. In order to correctly indicate the type of suture to be performed, the professional should worry about pre, trans, and postoperative aspects so that effective regeneration of the injured tissue is promoted. For instance, the professional should indicate and choose the best way to perform coaptation of the injured tissue to facilitate healing.¹

According to Silveira and Heitz (1998), sutures cause tissue irritation, leading to an inflammatory response of low intensity and short duration. However, they are soft, flexible, basically inelastic, resistant to traction and torsion, easy-to-sterilize, low-cost, and have thin and regular caliber. ²

With the emergence of chemical tissue adhesives and due to the interference of sutures in the process of tissue healing and to the difficulty of suturing children, some professionals started replacing the conventional suture with chemical substances called tissue adhesives, especially cyanoacrylates, used for synthesis of surgical wounds. ^3-7 The chemical adhesive is also used in children for being an easy-to-perform, quick, and painless method that leaves small scars, except for when there are complications. ⁸

Chemical adhesives have unique properties, including the following: bacteriostatic effect; hemostatic effect; biodegradation; biocompatibility, except for the methyl-cyanoacrylate; and easy manipulation. ⁹ However, they also show some inconvenient characteristics, such as less resistance to tension and toxicity in some patients. ^10,11,12 One of their multiple advantages is that, compared to sutures, cyanoacrylates reduce surgical time in tissue synthesis. ^5,13

In Brazil, especially in the area of odontology, ethyl cyanoacrylate - a low-cost and clinically well-evaluated chemical adhesive - has been used as adhesive material in the closure of gingival flaps, in mucous and cutaneous lacerations, as well in pulp capping. ¹⁴ According to Bruns et al. (1998) and Gomes (2000), ethyl cyanoacrylate facilitates the patient's life, since the patient does not need to return to the clinic for suture removal. ^13,15

This study aims at carrying out a literary review on the viability of using cyanoacrylate to close the edges of surgical wounds, emphasizing its advantages and disadvantages when compared to conventional sutures.

LITERATURE REVIEW

There are several current research papers showing that the use of chemical adhesives to close the edges of surgical wounds in moist and living tissue represents a viable alternative to reach such purpose.^12,13,16

Chemical adhesives were discovered and synthesized by Ardis in 1949. They were first used in human beings in 1959, when their adhesive properties were finally reported by Coover. ^17,18 Since then, they have been widely studied as to their capacity to facilitate the synthesis of wound edges, reduce surgical time, minimize patient discomfort, and avoid new visits to the clinic for suture removal. ¹⁹

Initially, the authors investigated many different structural forms of chemical adhesives based on cyanoacrylates, from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-amyl, nhexyl, among others, to the most effective formula, which is octyl cyanoacrylate. ^10,12,20-23

In 1966, Bhaskar et al. (1967) showed that the cyanoacrylate (CH2= C (CN)-COOR) chemical adhesive adheres to moist tissue, presents hemostatic properties, and is phagocytized by histiocytes. ¹² The authors carried out tests with several types of cyanoacrylates, such as ethyl cyanoacrylate, methyl cyanoacrylate, propyl cyanoacrylate, isobutyl cyanoacrylate, and butyl cyanoacrylate, with the last one showing better clinical results, followed by ethyl cyanoacrylate. Kline and Hayes (1963) observed, in their experiment, that methyl cyanoacrylate is the one that presents the highest degree of histotoxicity, causing edema and tissue necrosis, and thus not being indicated for clinical use. ²⁴ On the other hand, ethyl cyanoacrylate adhesives do not promote inflammatory reaction, in spite of showing faster degradation; therefore, they are clinically indicated for wound closure. ^25,26,27

Lascaz Netto and Macedo (1986) conducted some research with human beings in order to clinically evaluate healing of five free gingival grafts fixed with a chemical adhesive. ²⁸ Such authors concluded that the results found were satisfactory, especially when it came to reducing surgical time, since the adhesive was placed without any difficulty and showed fast polymerization, regardless of the presence of saliva or bleeding. Also, the authors observed that tissue repair occurred normally, without any untoward events.

Santos et al. (1990) carried out a histopathological study on tissue repair in wounds produced in the back of rats and compared suture with the application of the ethyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive. ³ Two incisions were performed in the back of 24 rats, one was sutured and the other was submitted to application of ethyl cyanoacrylate. The incisions were analyzed one, three, five, and seven days after the surgery. The authors verified that the adhesive showed to be less aggressive than the suture in the initial stage of the repair process; however, in the final stages of tissue repair, they tended to show similar results.

Barreiro, Servin and Diaz (1995) conducted a study with human beings using the ethyl cyanoacrylate adhesive in the coaptation of edges of incised cutaneous tissue in curved and suprapubic surgical wounds. ²⁶ The conventional internal suture was performed, and the adhesive was placed on the superficial portion. The authors observed no intolerance to the adhesive or dehiscence of the edges and, therefore, concluded that the method is easy to apply, economical and present no side effects.

In order to obtain better effectiveness, chemical adhesives should be used within 72 hours after exposure to air. The time needed for their polymerization is approximately 55 seconds, varying according to the surface to which they will be applied, such as endothelium, mucous membrane, skin, blood, and bone. Because of their liquid form, chemical adhesives have the ability to penetrate irregular surfaces of the tissue, promoting strong adhesion. ^29-31 However, their bacterial toxicity is, in part, determined by products generated from degradation of polymers and formation of double bonds of monomers combined with free amino acids and/or hydroxyl groups that are common in bacterial cell walls.³²

The histotoxicity of the tissue adhesive is attributed to the polymerization of the polymer that generates two subproducts: formaldehyde and cyanoacetate (toxic). Its degradation varies according to the size of the carbon chain of the cyanoacetate ester; the bigger the carbon chain, the slower the degradation of this substance. ¹⁵

Marques (1997), seeking to improve and optimize tissue synthesis after exodontia, conducted an experimental study with rats using the ethyl cyanoacrylate tissue chemical adhesive to repair the gingival mucosa. ³³ The results obtained through a histomorphological analysis showed that ethyl cyanoacrylate allows more uniform tissue proliferation in the initial healing stage, without causing any damage to the final stages of tissue repair.

Bruns et al. (1998) carried out an experiment with 83 children that sought help at the Emergency Department of the Thompson Children's Hospital from February to June of 1996 with the objective of evaluating the efficacy of the 2-octyl cyanoacrylate chemical adhesive in dilacerations. ¹³ They did not only use the adhesive, but also the conventional method with non-reabsorbable suture. The amount of time needed for synthesis of the dilacerations with both the adhesive and suture was recorded, and it was observed that surgical time was reduced in the proportion of 2.9 minutes with the use of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate. The time needed when suture was used was 5.8 minutes. Pain was also evaluated by parents based on their children's reports, and it was found that the group that used 2-octyl cyanoacrylate presented such manifestation with less intensity. Considering the results, the authors concluded that 2-octyl cyanoacrylate is a pretty acceptable alternative, when compared to conventional suture methods.

In 1998, Toriumi, Ogrady and Ddesai observed 111 patients that were submitted to elective surgical procedures performed by the same surgeon. The patients to use the 2-octyl cyanoacrylate adhesive and the conventional suture for closure of the edges of surgical wounds were randomly selected. It was observed that the time needed to close the surgical wound with the use of suture was three minutes and forty-seven seconds, being approximately four times longer than the time needed for closure with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, which lasted about fifty-five seconds. ¹⁶ The surgical wounds were evaluated five to seven days after the surgical procedure to check for the presence of infection, wound dehiscence, or tissue reaction to a foreign body. The wounds closed with suture showed an aspect of intense inflammatory process and erythematous areas around the incision, whereas the incisions closed with the adhesive showed no tissue reaction. Both groups did not show dehiscence, hematoma, or presence of infection. Ninety days after the closure of the wounds, a satisfactory aesthetic result was observed, with no significant differences between the two groups.

When evaluating the sterility of cyanoacrylate and its biocidal activity in relation to microorganisms, Ueda et al. (2004) verified that cyanoacrylate is a safe alternative as to its sterility. However, it does not show any bacteriostatic and/or bactericidal effect in relation to S. mutans, S. xylosis and P. aeruginosa, which indicates the necessity of maintaining an antibiotic therapy in case of infection. ³⁴

Gomes (2000), in an investigation involving human beings, used ethyl cyanoacrylate in the coaptation of the edges of surgical wounds resulting from excisional biopsies, with a maximum length of 20 millimeters, to evaluate the viability of using tissue adhesives in wound closure. ¹⁵ In this experiment, 15 patients with lesions that did not suggest malignancy were selected. Those lesions were located on the skin and in the head and neck regions. Removal of the lesions and tissue synthesis with the chosen tissue adhesive were performed. When the surgical wounds were examined, it was observed that the edges of the wounds were coapted seven days later in 86.7% of the cases and 28 days later in 93.3% of the cases. Thus, it was concluded that the use of the tissue adhesive did not interfere in the healing process and that its application in the coaptation of the edges of surgical wounds is viable, since no contraindications were observed.

Oliveira and Cruz et al. (2000) carried out a study to evaluate the efficacy of the 2-octyl cyanoacrylate adhesive in comparison with the conventional suture technique in the fixation of total skin grafts, analyzing their integration. ³⁵ The authors verified that the average time of fixation with the adhesive was 23 seconds compared to four minutes when suture was used. Therefore, better integration and less time for graft fixation were demonstrated with the use of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate.

According to Elosua et al. (2001), little malleability, the possibility of injuring the mucosa and skin, the low coefficient of friction, and the instability of the suture knot give the suture material significant disadvantages when it comes to coaptation of edges of facial wounds, which demand a less apparent scar and, therefore, a better healing process. ³⁶

Tissue adhesives show satisfactory aesthetic and healing results in odontology, especially in the area of oral and maxillofacial surgery. However, cyanoacrylates are the least indicated for closure of highly mobile areas such as joints; areas of friction, like feet and hands; and those areas where precise alignment is a priority, like eyelids and face. Its use is basically restricted to simple dilacerations in areas of low tension and easy access. It is especially recommended for children, to avoid the fear of sutures and their removal afterwards. ³⁷

In 2005, Santana et al. conducted a comparative study on the use of an adhesive implant based on cyanoacrylate and the use of silk suture in subcutaneous tissue of rats. ³⁸ In this experiment, 20 rats had their backs incised and were then submitted to adhesive implants and silk suture. The animals were sacrificed two, five, ten and twenty days after surgery, with the areas adjacent to the implants being removed and submitted to microscopic analysis. The researchers concluded that alpha-cyanoacrylate, when necessary, may replace the silk suture, since it showed better results than the silk suture regarding tissue reaction at the subcutaneous connective tissue level.

In 2009, Saska et al. carried out an investigation to analyze the compatibility between the ethyl-cyanoacrylate adhesive and the butyl-cyanoacrylate adhesive and to compare the repair of incisions in the back of rats using these adhesives and suture. ³⁹ Two surgical holes were prepared in the back of 15 rats. A tube of polyethylene was implanted in each hole and filled with the chosen adhesive. Ethyl cyanoacrylate was placed in the hole on the right and butyl cyanoacrylate was placed in the one on the left. Between the two incisions coapted with the adhesives, a medium-size incision was performed, which was closed with silk suture. The animals were sacrificed seven, thirty-five, and a hundred and twenty days after surgery. The authors concluded that both adhesives allow similar healing of the incised tissue and, therefore, may replace the silk suture in closure of wounds, lacerations, or cutaneous incisions, reducing the duration of the surgical procedure.

DISCUSSION

Andrade and Montenegro (1992), Edwab (1995), and Laney and Tolman (1990) agree that the selection of the suture material requires an evaluation of the time during which the material should be maintained to promote closure of the wound and also of the tension needed during this time.^40-42 Moreover, according to these authors, the biocompatibility of this material is defined by the intensity of the acute inflammatory process, initially triggered by the lesion induced by a transfixion needle and by the presence of an antibody-antigen response, as well as by the delay in scar fibroblast proliferation, which will result in isolation of the body.

Pereira et al. (2005) showed, in their experiment, that the cyanoacrylate chemical adhesive adheres to moist tissue, decreases the duration of the surgery, minimizes patient discomfort, and avoids a new visit to the clinic to remove the sutures. Their work corroborates the reports by Azevedo, Marques and Bombana (2003).^19,20

The histomorphological studies conducted by Dutra (1991) and Saito et al. (2002), in which they used ethyl cyanoacrylate, found that tissue healing in the initial stages was satisfactory. ^4,43 Dutra (1991) concluded his experiment recommending the use of the adhesive only in epithelial tissue and warned that its use in connective tissue should be avoided. ⁴ On the other hand, Saito et al. (2002) suggested the use of the adhesive in both the epithelial and connective tissue. ⁴³

According to Ferreira et al. (2004), Perron et al. (2000), and Toriumi et al. (1998), tissue adhesives show satisfactory aesthetic and healing results in odontology, especially in the area of oral and maxillofacial surgery. ^14,16,44 However, according to Cardoso et al. (2004), cyanoacrylates should not often be indicated for healing of highly mobile areas such as joints, areas of friction, and areas where precise alignment is a priority. These authors defend that their use should be restricted to children and cases of simple dilacerations. ³⁷

In accordance with Toriumi et al. (1998) and Santos et al. (2003), the inflammatory response caused by 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate is light, that is, inferior to that caused by conventional sutures, which makes it more advantageous regarding tissue repair. ^16,7

When conventional sutures are compared with 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate, it is observed that the latter offers superior cosmetics results, since this material is biodegradable and bacteriostatic and has great adhesive potential, in addition to presenting other advantages such as hemostasis promotion and maintenance of the position of the injured tissue. These observations are corroborated by Bhaskar et al. (1966), Santos et al. (2003), Santana et al. (2004) and Toriumi et al. (1998). ^7,12,16,38 Ferreira et al. (2004) also state that its use is pretty advantageous, especially in children, since it is not necessary to anaesthetize the injured region and it does not involve suture removal in the postoperative phase. ¹⁴ However, according to reports by Baptista (1999), in spite of the multiple advantages of tissue adhesives over conventional sutures, some surgeons are still afraid of using 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate due to its histotoxicity and difficult application. ³²

According to Pereira et al. (2005), the time needed to close the epidermis with sutures is three or four times longer than the time needed when using 2-octylcyanoacrylate. ²⁰ Regarding tissue protection against infections, according to Toriumi et al. (1998), 2-octylcyanoacrylate offers better results than conventional sutures in the first five to seven days; however, over time, within at most 90 days, the results are similar. ¹⁶

More recently, Saska et al. (2009) found results similar to those of other researchers that used ethyl cyanoacrylate as well as butyl cyanoacrylate in bone tissue and in the back of animals, proving that chemical adhesives are biocompatible with the analyzed structures.^{3,28,29,31,39,45-48}

According to Souza et al. (2007), who investigated the biocompatibility of ethyl cyanoacrylate in the closure of rat skin compared to octyl cyanoacrylate and suture, the use of ethyl cyanoacrylate showed several advantages in relation to the other two. It showed good tolerance, not inducing necrosis, allergic reactions, or infections. ⁴⁷ On the other hand, Toriumi et al. (1990) showed that ethyl cyanoacrylate causes more inflammation than butyl cyanoacrylate. ⁴⁸

There are several studies comparing chemical adhesives and conventional sutures. These studies evaluate differences regarding healing capacity, bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties, clinical and histological aspects, presence of postoperative pain, intensity of local reaction, and hemostatic actions. All of the studies mentioned in this paper, especially those developed by Bhaskar et al. (1966), Lehman et al. (1966), Matsumoto et al. (1967), Gottlob et al. (1967), Frisch and Bhaskar (1969), and Saito et al. (2002), obtained conclusive results according to which chemical adhesives may be an additional and effective option for coaptation of surgical wound edges.^{10,11,12,21,22,43}

FINAL REMARKS

Cyanoacrylates seem to present a great advantage as adhesives for the skin and mucosa. They are indicated for a variety of surgical procedures, such as closure of gingival flaps, closure of mucous and cutaneous lacerations, and endodontic surgeries, with bigger biocompatibility and small secondary tissue reaction than conventional sutures;

Other advantages of using cyanoacrylates, especially with regard to children, are the fact that anesthesia is not necessary and that there is no removal of sutures;

The use of cyanoacrylates is restricted to simple dilacerations in areas of no or low tension and of easy access, which constitutes one of its disadvantages;

Additional studies on making these products easier to apply and more accessible should be conducted, aiming at increasing the use of 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate in surgical specialties, especially in areas where aesthetics demands are high.