Accidental Adhesion of Both Hands with Super Glue: A Case Report

DEAR EDITOR Cyanoacrylates (CAs) were first described in 1949 and their potential as adhesives were quickly recognised.1 Various homologues of CA adhesive have been studied and used, including methyl-, ethyl-, isobutyl-, isohexyl-, and octyl-CA.1 Commercial CA now has widespread use as an all purpose adhesive in various industries, however the main application of CA is as adhesives domestically. In the early 1960s, the formulation was changed to butyl cyanoacrylate for possible medical use, creating a less toxic product.2 Despite their increasing use in the household, especially medical staff has limited knowledge about the management of adverse effects of CA and that limited knowledge could be ended up with a catastrophe. T this report presents a case of CA glue adhesion and highlights the knowledge of the relevant emergent situation. Our case was a 28-year-old, right handed man, working as a carpet upholsterer applied to the Emergency Department with adhesion of both hands to each other by super glue while he was covering the floor with carpet. At the time of contact with CA, to clean the glue, he rubbed his fingers to each other and then, washed his hands with water and soap. However, after a while he had a burning sensation in his hands and felt pain when he tried to detach his fingers. Patient’s both hands and fingers adhered to each other completely and almost symmetrically (Figure 1). He applied to his occupational physican but he did not receive any treatment. He went back home and tried to solve glue by himself with a combination of some detergents, oil and warm water but could not succeed. A few hours later, the patient applied to the Emergency Department where the glue was tried to be solved by physical assistance and by liquid basic soap and alcohol. After the inefficient procedures applied by emergency staff, the patient was consulted to the Plastic Surgery Department for surgical operation. The patient was noted to be fit and well, not suffering from any other medical problems nor taking any regular medications. However, he was anxious. On physical examination, patient’s hands looked like a prayer position. He stated that he couldvnot do any movement with his fingers. In treatment, acetone was applied to the patient’s hands and fingers and within a few seconds, the glue was dissolved (Figure 2) and the patient could use his hands and fingers freely again. Cyanoacrylate (CA) cements contain a monomer group which is stabilized with a weak acid to prevent converting from liquid to Letter to Editor