Surgical Outcomes Research A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial of tissue adhesive (2-octylcyanoacrylate) versus standard wound closure in breast surgery R. Gennari, MD N. Rotmensz, Msc, B. Ballardini, MD, S. Scevola, MD, E. Perego, MD, V. Zanini, MD, A. Costa, MD Background Recent studies suggest that the use of tissue adhesive for closure of both traumatic lacerations and incisional surgical wounds leads to cosmetic outcome comparable to conventional sutures. To date, no studies have investigated tissue adhesive in breast surgery and costs. Our aim was to compare the tissue adhesive 2-octylcyanoacrylate (OCA) with standard suture in breast surgery. Methods A prospective randomized study was conducted in which 151 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 133 were randomly allocated to skin closure with OCA adhesive or monofilament suture. Cosmetic outcome with blinded assessment, wound management by the patients, complication rates, and economic outcome were recorded. Results There was no difference in cosmetic score in the 2 groups, nor in complications at the early, 6-month, and 1-year follow-up. Patient satisfaction with the wound closed with OCA was rated significantly higher when compared with standard suture (P < .0001). The application of the tissue adhesive was significantly faster than that for standard suture (P < .001). In economic terms total costs were less in the tissue adhesive group, mainly due to lower postoperative costs of physician and assistant services (P < .001). Conclusions OCA is effective and reliable in skin closure for breast surgery, yielding similar cosmetic results to standard suture. OCA is faster than standard wound closure and offers several practical advantages over suture repair for patients. Cost analysis has found that OCA adhesive can significantly decrease health care costs. Surgery September 2004 • Volume 136 • Number 3 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.