Liquid adhesive beats sutures for closing incisions.(Gynecology)

NEW YORK -- Dermabond adhesive is significantly faster than sutures for trocar incision closure and comparable in terms of pain and cosmesis in gynecologic surgery, Marlan Schwartz, M.D., said at an international congress of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.

Ethicon's Dermabond (2-octyl-cyano-acrylate) is a liquid, topical skin adhesive that is flexible and strong and causes less trauma than traditional sutures. It also provides a barrier to infection, said Dr. Schwartz of Lifeline Medical Associates, Piscataway, N.J., who received a research grant from the company.

Of 39 patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery, 17 were randomized to have their trocar port incisions closed with Dermabond, and 22 were randomized to traditional sutures. Time to closure was just under 2 minutes (98 seconds) with Dermabond, compared with nearly 4 minutes (236 seconds) for the sutures, a "definitely significant" difference, he said.

Cosmesis scores were analyzed at 6 months by a plastic surgeon who was blinded to the type of closure the patient had received. On a scale of 0 (worst) to 6 (best), the two groups were nearly identical: 4.40 for Dermabond and 4.49 for sutures.