An In-Vivo Study of the Wound-Bursting Strengths of Octyl-Cyanoacrylate, Butyl-Cyanoacrylate, and Surgical Tape in Rats

Background: Several non-invasive wound-closure devices are available. Clinical studies of low-tension lacerations suggest similar clinical outcomes with these devices. Objective: We compared the wound-bursting strengths (WBS) of octyl-cyanoacrylate (Dermabond), butyl-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl Blue), and adhesive tape (Steri-Strips). Methods: Design-randomized, controlled, blinded experiment. Setting-university-based division of laboratory animal research. Subjects-15 Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-350 g. Interventions-standardized 2-cm full-thickness incisions were made in duplicate on both sides of the rat's dorsum with a #15 surgical blade and closed with one of the three study wound-closure devices following manufacturer instructions. The order of closure was randomized. Measurements-WBS was measured after wound closure with a validated vacuum-controlled wound chamber device (BT-2000) that measures the pressure required to disrupt the closed wound. Data analysis-between-group comparisons were performed with pair-wise t-tests and chi-squared tests. This study had 80% power to detect a 75-mm Hg between-group difference in WBS (two-tailed α = 0.05). Results: We evaluated 30 incisions in 15 rats. The mean WBS of octyl-cyanoacrylate (298 ± 58 mm Hg) was significantly higher than that of butyl-cyanoacrylate (199 ± 87 mm Hg; difference 98 mm Hg [95% confidence interval (CI) 32-165], p = 0.006) or Steri-Strips (129 ± 67 mm Hg; difference 169 mm Hg [95% CI 112-227], p < 0.001). The WBS of butyl-cyanoacrylate was stronger than that of Steri-Strips; difference 71 mm Hg (95% CI 4-138), p = 0.035. Conclusions: Octyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive has a higher WBS than butyl-cyanoacrylate, whose WBS is greater than that of surgical tape.