Objective
To compare N-octyl-cyanoacrylate and suture control to determine the efficacy of this tissue glue preparation in securing grafted cartilage with an acceptable inflammatory reaction.
Design
Four 5-mm circular auricular cartilage grafts were harvested, and 2 of these grafts were either glued together with N-octyl-cyanoacrylate or sewn together with nylon suture. These sandwich grafts were then glued or sewn to the periosteum of the calvaria. Histologic analysis for inflammation, necrosis, fibrosis, and foreign-body giant cell reaction was performed 2 and 6 weeks after implantation. We also measured cartilage graft migration from the original site of surgical implantation.
Subjects
Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits. The 2-week study group consisted of 7 rabbits (1 died of dehydration), and the 6-week group totaled 8.
Intervention
Each rabbit underwent auricular cartilage harvest and cartilage graft implantation to the parietal skull periosteum.
Results
We found no histological differences between the glue specimens and the suture controls. Similarly, our examination of graft migration yielded no differences between groups.
Conclusions
N-octyl-cyanoacrylate was superior to standard suture technique by virtue of its speed, ease, and accuracy of application. No adverse inflammation was observed. Further studies, including clinical trials, are needed to assess the safety of N-octyl-cyanoacrylate in humans.
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;122:873-877
