Doctors use surgical glue -- also called “tissue adhesive” or "liquid stitches"-- to close both major and minor wounds, such as lacerations, incisions made during laparoscopic surgery, and wounds on the face or in the groin. Benefits of surgical glue include: Lower rates of infection. Less time in the operating room.
And it's superglue instead of stitches for lacerations. Now, in the ER, we use glue all the time instead of stitches. It's quick. You can use it on smaller lacerations, things that aren't really gaping wide-open, things where I'm not concerned about infection.
Skin glue is a special medical glue used to close wounds. It can be used on its own or with stitches or adhesive tape. It forms a protective waterproof covering over your wound.
Your doctor will advise you if your child has stitches that need to be removed. A special glue (e.g. Dermabond) is another type of treatment used in hospitals and medical clinics to keep the edges of the skin together. It has the same effect as stitches, and only takes about a minute to apply and dry.
Cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesive (Dermabond, Indermil, Epiglu) can be used with small wounds in a location that does not allow the application of a length of wound closure tape.
For a safer wound-healing glue, consider Dermabond, which is approved by the FDA for skin wound closure. You can also use a semipermeable dressing (Tegaderm, Bioclusive, Second Skin, or New Skin) to cover the wound and attach the dressing to dry healthy skin with adhesive tape.
Medical-grade cyanoacrylate super glues are very similar to their non-medical grade counterparts. In fact, they can often be exactly the same with one exception. Medical Grade cyanoacrylates are manufactured and tested to a more stringent standard.
Leave the skin adhesive on your skin until it falls off on its own. This may take 5 to 10 days. Do not scratch, rub, or pick at the adhesive.
If we have closed your wound with medical glue, please follow these instructions to help your wound heal. The glue must stay in place until your wound has healed. This takes 5 to 6 days. The glue forms part of the scab.
Here's why we use skin adhesive instead of stitches:
It is less painful. There are no needle pokes. It is a faster procedure. Often, it does not require a follow-up visit, saving you another trip to the doctor.
Advantages of Medical Adhesives
Adhesives take less time than stitches. There is nothing to remove since the adhesive eventually breaks down and is absorbed (internally) or peels and falls off (externally). Therefore, it may be possible to avoid a follow-up appointment. There is a lower risk of infection.
Dermabond® skin adhesive is a glue that forms a light purple film on the skin that holds an open wound together.
Liquid stitches, or Dermabond, are like a medical-grade “super glue” for skin. In the right setting, Dermabond can be a great option to help some small wounds heal. But there are some important things to know about liquid stitches. First, liquid stitches only work on certain cuts.
Probably not, experts say. Studies show that although the glue can be useful in emergencies, it can also irritate the skin, kill cells and cause other side effects, particularly when used on deep wounds.
Cyanoacrylates have been used to close wounds in the past. However, due to its potential to irritate the skin, a safer version called 2-Octylcyanoacrylate was created (commonly known as Dermabond). This is not quite the same thing as Krazy glue, but people get mixed up and think that they can safely glue their wounds.
For glued wounds:
After 2 days your child can have a shower or a bath but avoid soaking or scrubbing the wound for at least 7 days to allow the wound to fully heal. Swimming should be avoided for the first 7 days. Remember to let steristrips fall off naturally.
KEEP WOUND DRY AND PROTECTED
You may occasionally and briefly wet your wound in the shower or bath. Do not soak or scrub your wound, do not swim, and avoid periods of heavy perspiration until the DERMABOND adhesive has naturally fallen off. After showering or bathing, gently blot your wound dry with a soft towel.
The surgical adhesive used to close the top layer of the skin may feel rough to the touch. Also, if there has been some bleeding, the skin adhesive may have become discolored, and appears yellow to orange in color.
You may notice a raised ridge (eversion) at the incision line which is intentional and designed to improve the scar. It will flatten out over the next 2-6 months. 3. Sometimes the glue has a purple color to it and may be mixed with blood to form a darker red or black color.
After your shower, remove the bandage. 24 hours until the glue has come off on its own, usually in 10-14 days. No special cleaning or wound care is necessary for your wound. Avoid using ointment on the glue or it will break down sooner and come off before it is ready.
The glue will gradually come off. If it has been there for 2 weeks, it starts to get messy and there is no harm in gradually peeling the loose glue off.
After the first 24 to 48 hours, wash the cut with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the cut with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
The Dermabond will hold your child's incision together at skin level. It will loosen from the skin and fall off in 5 to 10 days. Exposure to water may make it fall off sooner. Call your child's doctor if the edges of the incision open or pull apart.