BACKGROUND: Tissue adhesive 2-octyl cyanoacrylate was developed to have more strength, less inflammatory reaction, and less histotoxicity than its shorter-chain derivates. METHODS: To evaluate the use of 2-octil cyanoacrylate in comparison with "nylon" suture in skin closure of rats. Methods: Twenty-five female Wistar rats were submitted to a 3cm surgical incision in each side of the abdomen. The wound was closed with intradermic suture using "nylon" 4-0 in one side, and 2-octil cyanoacrylate on the other side. After 7 days the thread was removed and the wound was checked for complications. After 40 days the wound aspect was clinically evaluated. The rats were sacrificed; the scars were resected, and sent to the pathologist without the information of which closing method was used. RESULTS: There were 2 deaths during anesthesia or few days after surgery. The mean surgical time was 136 seconds with the adhesive and 176 with "nylon" (P=0.003). The complications were: one hematoma in each method (P=0.8), fifteen wound dehiscence with the adhesive and 11 with "nylon" (P=0.2), seven scars with a bad or fair aspect with adhesive and 4 with "nylon" (P=0.3), three infections with adhesive and 2 with "nylon" 2 (P=0.4). Histological examination showed median scar width of 1.119 micron with the adhesive and 1.800 with "nylon" (P=0.7). The mean thickness was 1.795 in the adhesive group versus 1.705 micron (P=0.7). CONCLUSION: Surgical adhesive showed the same aesthetical results, the same strength, and the same complications as for "nylon" 4.0 sutures, but the adhesive decreased the surgical time.
Suture techniques; Skin; Cyanoacrylates; Nylons; Rats; experimental model
