• Julian Ong, Kok-Sun Ho, Min-Hoe Chew, and Kong-Weng Eu.
• Department of Colorectal Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
• Int J Colorectal Dis. 2010 Jul 1;25(7):899-905.

BackgroundTopical 2-octylcyanoacrylate tissue (OCA) adhesive has been used as an alternative to close wounds with a comparable cosmetic outcome. The use of 2-OCA in the closure of abdominal laparotomy wounds has not been thoroughly evaluated. Our aim was to compare 2-OCA with conventional skin stapling devices in colorectal surgery.MethodsA prospective randomised study was conducted in which 74 consecutive patients above the age of 21 undergoing open elective colectomies for benign or malignant indications were allocated to skin closure with 2-OCA or skin staples. Cosmetic outcome as assessed with the Hollander Cosmesis Scale with a single assessor, complication rates, and patient satisfaction were recorded at discharge (4-10POD) 2 weeks after discharge and then at 3 months.ResultsOf the 74 patients, 38 were randomised to skin staples and 36 to 2-OCA. There was no significant difference in cosmetic outcomes between the two groups as assessed with a visual analogue scale or the Hollander Cosmesis Scale but showed a trend to better cosmetic outcomes in the 2-OCA group. Patient satisfaction scores were higher but did not reach statistical significance. The time taken to close a wound with 2-OCA was significantly longer than with skin staples. There was no statistical difference in rates of wound infection.Conclusion2-OCA is a safe and effective means of skin closure in patients undergoing elective colectomies with a good and at least equivalent outcome to traditional methods of closure.

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