Background: Cyanoacrylate monomers have been developed for use as skin adhesives. So far, little is known about long-term results concerning functional and aesthetic results of wound closure with octylcyanoacrylate in head and neck region.
Methods: In a prospective, non-randomized study we examined in 59 patients who had undergone surgery in the face and the neck in between 04/99 and 05/00 at the ENT-Department, University of Aachen, Germany. The aesthetic and functional outcome of a cutanous wound closure by use of octylcyanoacrylate was evaluated. Patients were seen preoperatively, postoperatively and in a long-term follow-up (average 7.2 months) for wound control, photographs, and evaluation with a standardized questionnary.
Results: In 40 cases a complete follow-up was possible. There were 33 patients (82.5 %) satisfied with the aesthetic and the functional results of wound closure. In four patients (10 %) early complications developed but did not have an impact on the cosmetic result. Three patients showed alterations as hypertrophic scar or persisting redness of the scar in the long-term follow-up.
Conclusion: Octylcyanoacrylate tissue adhesive was found to be an effective method of skin closure in clean head and neck incisions. It is a fast and simple method of wound closure, providing good cosmetic results with a low infection rate.