Comparative study of the use of ethyl cyanoacrylate adhesive and intracutaneous suture for cutaneous excision closure

Background: The advantages of cyanoacrylates in cutaneous wound closure have been wi­ dely demonstrated in the literature. However, these products have not been widely used in Brazil due to the high costs of octyl cyanoacrylates. Moreover, there have been only a few studies on the most affordable product, ethyl cyanoacrylate, as a cutaneous adhesive. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ethyl cyanoacrylate in cutaneous exci­ sion repair. Methods: A retrospective study conducted in patients with superficial skin lesions who underwent elliptical excision and repair by primary closure. The excisions were closed using deep relaxing sutures and either ethyl cyanoacrylate (case group; CaG) or intradermal suture (control group; CoG) on the skin surface. Results: Thirty-three patients were identified with 43 cutaneous lesions (CaG, n = 20; CoG, n = 23). Unsightly scars (CaG = 20%; CoG = 48%), eye irritation (CaG = 15%; CoG = 0), dehiscence (CaG = 5%; CoG = 0), infection (CaG = 0; CoG = 4.3%), and contact dermatitis (CaG = 0; CoG = 4.3%) were the problems observed. The cosmetic results were satisfactory in almost all excisions (CaG = 100%; CoG = 95.7%). Conclusions: Ethyl cyanoacrylate was adequately tolerated in this study group, with no necrosis, allergic reactions, or infections. Ethyl cyanoacrylate presented several advantages over suture use, including low complication rates and high patient satisfaction.