Pediatric sutureless circumcision: an effective and cost efficient alternative.

INTRODUCTION: Circumcision is the most commonly performed surgical procedures in male children. Maine is one of 18 states in the United States which does not pay for neonatal circumcisions. The aim of this study was to perform outcomes and cost analysis of a sutureless circumcision technique versus circumcision using sutures. Specifically, we evaluated Dermaflex (2-octyl cyanoacrylate, 2-OCA) surgical glue circumcision as a cost effective, faster, and safe alternative to traditional suture circumcision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was a non-randomized series. We collected the operative details prospectively, abstracted clinical outcomes retrospectively, and performed data analysis retrospectively. One hundred and twenty-six circumcisions were performed by two pediatric urologists over a 1 year period. Suture circumcisions were performed exclusively during the first 6 months, and 2-OCA glue circumcisions were performed during the second 6 months. Billing charges were analyzed to extrapolate variable costs between the two surgical procedures. The technique used to perform the sutureless circumcision was a modification of the standard sleeve technique, with the use of monopolar diathermy instead of scalpel, and application of 2-OCA glue to approximate tissue edges. RESULTS: From Jan 2013 to Jan 2014, 72 patients underwent circumcision with suture, and 54 patients underwent circumcision with 2-OCA glue. Mean age in the glue group was 61 months (range 8-202 months), and 50 months in the suture group (range 5-215 months), p = 0.19. All cases were performed under general anesthesia, as outpatient surgery. Mean operative cut time was 18.4 min for the glue group, and 28.6 min for the suture group (p < 0.01). The 10.2 min operative time difference translated to a $378 cost savings per glue circumcision case. Complication rates were not statistically significant between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The use of 2-OCA tissue adhesive for sutureless circumcision is an alternative to the standard technique. It results in faster operative times, with a significant cost savings, while maintaining comparable complication rates to the standard suture technique. This is a viable, less expensive surgical option for patients whose circumcisions are not covered by Medicaid.

Surgical site infection in spinal surgery: a comparative study between 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate and staples for wound closure.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection (SSI) after spinal surgery is a devastating complication. Various methods of skin closure are used in spinal surgery, but the optimal skin-closure method remains unclear. A recent report recommended against the use of metal staples for skin closure in orthopedic surgery. 2-Octyl-cyanoacrylate (Dermabond; Ethicon, NJ, USA) has been widely applied for wound closure in various surgeries. In this cohort study, we assessed the rate of SSI in spinal surgery using metal staples and 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate for wound closure. METHODS: This study enrolled 609 consecutive patients undergoing spinal surgery in our hospital. From April 2007 to March 2010 surgical wounds were closed with metal staples (group 1, n = 294). From April 2010 to February 2012 skin closure was performed using 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate (group 2, n = 315). We assessed the rate of SSI using these two different methods of wound closure. Prospective study of the time and cost evaluation of wound closure was performed between two groups. RESULTS: Patients in the 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate group had more risk factors for SSI than those in the metal-staple group. Nonetheless, eight patients in the metal-staple group compared with none in the 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate group acquired SSIs (p < 0.01). The closure of the wound in length of 10 cm with 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate could save 28 s and $13.5. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that in spinal surgery, wound closure using 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate was associated with a lower rate of SSI than wound closure with staples. Moreover, the use of 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate has a more time saving effect and cost-effectiveness than the use of staples in wound closure of 10 cm in length.

Prospective randomised study to evaluate the use of DERMABOND ProPen (2-octylcyanoacrylate) in the closure of abdominal wounds versus closure with skin staples in patients undergoing elective colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Topical 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. METHODS: A 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. RESULTS: Of 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. CONCLUSION: 2-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.

Cost-consequence analysis comparing 2-octyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive and suture for closure of simple lacerations: a randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We investigate the cost difference between conventional suture and tissue adhesive methods in simple wound closure. METHODS: A cost-consequence analysis was conducted alongside a nonblinded randomized controlled trial comparing 2-octyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive with conventional suture in simple lacerations closure in emergency departments (EDs) of a university teaching hospital and a major regional hospital in Hong Kong. One hundred eighty-six adult patients with simple lacerations of length within 8 cm were randomized to receive tissue adhesive (93 patients) or conventional suture (93 patients) for wound closure. The primary outcome measures were the costs to the Hospital Authority and the charges on participants incurred in each treatment method. The secondary outcome measures included the cosmetic visual analog scale, visual analog scale, Wound Evaluation Score, total time spent in each closure method, and the overall patients' satisfaction on the whole process of wound management. RESULTS: The 2 groups had similar baseline characteristics. The tissue adhesive method incurred a higher cost to the Hospital Authority (216.12 [US $27.70] versus 171.33 [US $21.96]; absolute difference 44.79 [US $5.74] [95% confidence interval (CI) 32.76 to 55.95 [US $4.20 to 7.14]]) but a lower charge to patients (109.68 [US $14.06] versus 156.96 [US $20.12]; absolute difference 47.28 [US $6.06] [95% CI, 35.58 to 58.98 [US $4.56 to 7.56]) than the conventional suture method. The mean cosmetic visual analog scale score, visual analog scale score, and Wound Evaluation Score of the 2 groups were similar at various intervals within 3 months after wound closure. Compared with the suture group, the tissue adhesive group had a shorter median procedure time, fewer patients had wound erythema or swelling after wound closure, fewer patients required analgesics on discharge at ED, and there was a higher overall patient satisfaction score. CONCLUSION: Simple wounds closed by tissue adhesives incur a higher cost to the Hospital Authority than the conventional suture but may be favored by patients because of lower personal charge.

[Application of skin adhesives in head and neck surgery: analysis of cosmetic results, applicability and cost-effectiveness of cyanoacrylate-based adhesives]. / Einsatz von Hautklebern in der Kopf-Hals-Chirurgie: Analyse von kosmetischen Ergebnissen, Anwendbarkeit und Wirtschaftlichkeit cyanoacrylatbasierter Klebstoffe.

BACKGROUND: In this work cyanoacrylate-based skin adhesives used in Germany for skin closure in head and neck surgery are compared with respect to ease of application, cost-effectiveness and cosmetic results. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: We compared 25 wounds sealed with a skin adhesive with 25 suture-sealed wounds. RESULTS: Bonding of surgical wounds with glue had a high level of acceptance in all patients. The tedious, time-consuming and sometimes painful postoperative removal of many sutures in patients is omitted. Patients can shower soon afterwards without additional protection as the adhesive provides a waterproof barrier. Problems of wound healing can immediately be detected through the transparent skin adhesive. Cosmetic long-term results of skin closure by adhesives are comparable to suture-sealed wounds. CONCLUSIONS: The adhesives available on the market differ mainly in the form of the applicator, the viscosity on application, as well as the strength after hardening. The application is easy to implement and significantly faster than conventional suturing. Apart from the cost savings of materials compared to the use of skin sutures and investment of Steri-Strips, expensive anesthesia and surgical time can also be saved.

The use of "2-octyl cyanoacrylate" as skin adhesive in pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the safety and cost-effectiveness of "2-octyl-cyanoacrylate" as skin adhesive in congenital heart surgery. METHODS: From April 2010 to December 2011, we collected data from 300 patients who underwent cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease. We divided our population into 3 groups: group-1 (N.=100):"2-octyl-cyanoacrylate" has been used to replace the intra-dermal suture line; group-2 (N.=100):"2-octyl-cyanoacrylate" has been utilized as a barrier ("add-on measure") in addition to the intra-dermal suture line, group-3 (N.=100) with a standard intra-dermal suture line. RESULTS: Median age of patients was 1.36 years. One-hundred and thirty-nine patients were younger than 12 months and 56 older than 16 years. There were 11 wound dehiscence (3.6%) (2 in group-1 and 9 in group-3, P=0.001) and 1 superficial wound infection (group-1). Six patients (2%) required surgical wound revision (2 in group-1 and 4 in group-3, P=NS). Wound complication was significantly associated to delayed sternal closure (3/12 patients, 25% versus 13/288 patients, 4.5%) (P=0.04). Median cost (intra-/postoperative) for wound treatment was lower in group-1 and 2 (19±5.5 and 23.9±7.4 € respectively) when compared to Group-3 (26.7±3.2) (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The use of "2-octyl-cyanoacrylate" proved to be safe and effective; the "add-on measure" strategy provided the best cost-effective solution.

A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial of tissue adhesive (2-octylcyanoacrylate) versus standard wound closure in breast surgery.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that the use of tissue adhesive for closure of both traumatic lacerations and incisional surgical wounds leads to cosmetic outcome comparable to conventional sutures. To date, no studies have investigated tissue adhesive in breast surgery and costs. Our aim was to compare the tissue adhesive 2-octylcyanoacrylate (OCA) with standard suture in breast surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was conducted in which 151 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 133 were randomly allocated to skin closure with OCA adhesive or monofilament suture. Cosmetic outcome with blinded assessment, wound management by the patients, complication rates, and economic outcome were recorded. RESULTS: There was no difference in cosmetic score in the 2 groups, nor in complications at the early, 6-month, and 1-year follow-up. Patient satisfaction with the wound closed with OCA was rated significantly higher when compared with standard suture (P <.0001). The application of the tissue adhesive was significantly faster than that for standard suture (P <.001). In economic terms total costs were less in the tissue adhesive group, mainly due to lower postoperative costs of physician and assistant services (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: OCA is effective and reliable in skin closure for breast surgery, yielding similar cosmetic results to standard suture. OCA is faster than standard wound closure and offers several practical advantages over suture repair for patients. Cost analysis has found that OCA adhesive can significantly decrease health care costs.

Prospective randomized trial of skin adhesive versus sutures for closure of 217 laparoscopic port-site incisions.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine whether closure of laparoscopic port-site incisions using octylcyanoacrylate (OCA) is feasible, whether it is faster than traditional subcuticular suturing, whether the number and length of incisions impact on closure time, and to determine wound morbidity and patient satisfaction outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective randomized trial was performed on adult patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic surgery in three surgical specialties at a tertiary referral center. Patients were randomized to have closure of laparoscopic port sites using either OCA or sutures. Patients were followed up 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively. At 2 months patients were mailed a questionnaire regarding their satisfaction with the method of closure and the appearance of their scars. RESULTS: A total of 175 incisions in 50 patients were closed with OCA, and 142 incisions in 42 patients were closed with subcuticular sutures. Time to close was significantly faster for OCA (median 2.5 minutes versus 6 minutes, p < 0.001). OCA was faster than traditional subcuticular suturing for cases involving three or more port sites (median 2.5 minutes versus 6 minutes, p < 0.001), and for cases with total length of incisions >4 cm (median 2.6 minutes versus 7 minutes, p < 0.001). OCA and subcuticular suturing groups did not differ significantly on patient acceptance or assessment of scars. CONCLUSIONS: Closure of laparoscopic port-site incisions is feasible with OCA. Closure with OCA requires significantly less operative time than subcuticular suturing, particularly in cases when three or more port sites are used or when total incision length is greater than 4 cm. OCA appears to have equivalent adverse wound outcomes and patient acceptance rates as subcuticular suturing.

[Blepharoplasty: to suture or to use cyanoacrylate?]. / Blefaroplastia: ¿suturar o usar cianocrilato?

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and surgical time required when using the tissue adhesive 2-ethyl-cyanoacrylate compared with conventional suture in upper lid blepharoplasty. METHOD: A retrospective study was performed on 40 eyes of 20 patients who underwent bilateral upper lid blepharoplasty. In 7 patients, continuous non-absorbable suture (6-0 nylon monofilament Ethilon(®), Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ) was used for closure of the incision and in 13 patients 2-ethyl-cyanoacrylate (Epiglue(®), Meyer -Haake, Germany) was used. The variables studied were intraoperative time required to close the incision, the cost of the material used and the incidence of infections and suture dehiscence. RESULTS: The average time taken to close the incision was 6.069 minutes with cyanoacrylate and 11.914 minutes with conventional suture (P<.05). The price of surgical material used was practically similar. No cases of infection or wound dehiscence were found. CONCLUSION: The closure of the incision in upper lid blepharoplasty using 2-ethyl-cyanoacrylate is a safe, effective, and faster, but not less expensive method than conventional suture.

Biological tissue adhesive for multiple use in the accident and emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the strength of the glue and microbial contamination over 28 days from opening a vial of tissue adhesive in the accident and emergency setting, and to quantify cost savings of repeated use of the vials. METHOD: (1) Strips of reinforced nylon and a specially constructed piece of apparatus designed to measure the force at which the glue gave way were used to measure the strength of the tissue adhesive at various times after the glue was opened to assess if the glue strength deteriorated over time. (2) Microbial contamination of the glue was assessed. RESULTS: There was no deterioration in the glue strength over time. There was no evidence of microbial contamination of the glue. CONCLUSION: Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive can safely be reused for a period of 28 days after opening with no risk of degradation of glue strength or contamination with micro-organisms. In our department this represents a potential saving of l5400 per year.

Randomized study of the effectiveness of closing laparoscopic trocar wounds with octylcyanoacrylate, adhesive papertape or poliglecaprone.

BACKGROUND: Several methods for skin closure are used, i.e. sutures, adhesive papertape and tissue adhesives. Little is known about the efficacy of these techniques in laparoscopic surgery. This study was performed to analyse the efficacy of octylcyanoacrylate, a new tissue adhesive, adhesive papertape and poliglecaprone for wound closure in laparoscopy. METHODS: From May 2000 to September 2001, 140 patients were included in a prospective randomized trial. Wounds were closed with octylcyanoacrylate (n = 48), adhesive papertape (n = 42) or poliglecaprone (n = 50). Closing time, wound infection, cosmetic results and costs were evaluated. A time-motion analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The patients in the three groups were well matched for age, gender and body mass index. Closing times per wound were 26, 33 and 65 s respectively for adhesive papertape, octylcyanoacrylate and poliglecaprone (P < 0.001). Cosmetic results, as scored by the patients, were no different. The number of actions required to close each wound was 5.7, 8.3 and 21.0 for octylcyanoacrylate, adhesive papertape (P = 0.05 versus octylcyanoacrylate) and poliglecaprone (P < 0.01 versus octylcyanoacrylate and adhesive papertape) respectively. Octylcyanoacrylate was significantly more expensive than poliglecaprone and adhesive papertape. CONCLUSION: Closure with adhesive papertape was the fastest method. The smallest number of actions required to close a wound was with octylcyanoacrylate. Adhesive papertape was the most cost-effective.

N-2-butyl-cyanoacrylate for bleeding gastric varices: a United States pilot study and cost analysis.

OBJECTIVES: N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate has been reported to be effective for bleeding varices but is not available in the United States. We report the initial US experience with cyanoacrylate in this prospective trial and evaluate its safety, efficacy, and relative costs. METHODS: Patients with active or recent gastric variceal bleeding were eligible. Cyanoacrylate therapy was performed until variceal occlusion was achieved. Rebleeding was assessed at 72 h (acute phase), 6 wk (subacute phase), and 1 yr (chronic phase). Survival was assessed at 3 months and 1 yr. Cost analysis was performed comparing the first 17 patients to historical control patients not treated with cyanoacrylate. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were enrolled, 37 with cirrhosis and seven with noncirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH). In cirrhotic patients, rebleeding was seen in two of 37 (5%) at 72 h, one of 30 (3%) at 6 wk, and five of 28 (18%) at 1 yr. Survival without shunt at 3 months was 30 of 34 (88%) and at 1 yr was 24 of 31 (77%). In NCPH patients, rebleeding was seen in two of seven (29%) at 72 h. These patients received definitive therapy for NCPH after diagnosis. Mortality and costs were substantially higher in the non-cyanoacrylate group. The odds of death were greater by 7-fold in the non-cyanoacrylate group than within the cyanoacrylate group (95% CI = 1.18-41.36, p = 0.0318). At 3 months, there was a 3.18-fold difference (95% CI = 1.05-9.64, p = 0.0411) in accrued costs; at 1 yr, the difference was 2.55-fold (95% CI = 0.96-6.94, p = 0.0585). The cost-effective ratio was estimated as 108,237 US dollars/death averted, reflecting marked cost reduction with improved survival in the cyanoacrylate-treated group. This is believed to result largely from avoidance of shunt interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Cyanoacrylate treatment of gastric varices is safe, clinically effective, and cost effective.