2 OCTYL CYANOACRYLATE TISSUE GLUE (DERMABOND TM) VERSUS POLYPROPYLENE SKIN CLOSURE IN PRIMARY UNILATERAL CLEFT LIPS

Abstract

Introduction: Suture-less skin closure for better scars is fast gaining popularity. We compared the scar outcome of tissue adhesive closure and the standard Polypropylene 6/0 suture. Objective: To compare the results of tissue glue with Polypropylene 6/0 in wound closure of primary unilateral cleft lips. Patients and Methods: The randomized control trial was held in the Plastic Surgery department, Mayo Hospital Lahore from February 2013 till October 2018. 300 patients with primary unilateral cleft lips, aged 3 months to 5 years were included. The patients were randomly allotted Group A (Polypropylene 6/0 closure) or Group B (2 octyl cyanoacrylate closure). Modified Mohler technique was used for repair. Follow-up was at 5 days, 3 months with final scar score at 6 months. The infection rate and need for revision were evaluated. Scars were rated using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) by the patients and Hollander Wound Evaluation Scores (HWES). One Sample Kolmogorov Smirnov test,Mann Whitney U test and chi square tests were applied as relevant. p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were 15 (10%) infections in Group A and 4 (2.67%) in Group B. In Group A, 35 (23.33%) patients had hypertrophic scarring against 10 (6.67%) in Group B. In Group A, 12 (8%) patients needed revision versus 3 (2%) revisions in Group B. The mean VAS score for Group A was 81.22 and Group B 82.58 while the HWES mean score was 4.67 and 5.3 respectively. Conclusion: Superior results were achieved with with 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate closure compared to Polypropylene 6/0.