ABSTRACT
This works reports on the experience of the authors with the use of N-Butyl-Cyanoacrylate for the cutaneous closure of primary cheiloplasties in unilateral fissures, comparing the esthetic results with those to 6.0 mononylon sutures. Between April 1999 and December 2003, 62 primary cheiloplasties were performed in the Hospital Municipal Infantil Menino de Jesus utilizing the Millard's rotation-advancement lip repair technique. In Group A, comprised of 35 patients, the skin was sutured using 6.0 mononylon thread. For Group B, comprised of 27 patients, the skin was repaired using N-Butyl- Cyanoacrylate adhesive. The groups were evaluated on the 1st, 7th, 30th and 90th days after surgery. There were no cases of surgical infection. One (3.4%) patient of Group B presented with dehiscence less than one day after surgery requiring conventional suturing. One (2.8%) child of Group A required general anesthesia to remove the suture. The esthetic results of scaring were similar in both the groups studied. The authors stress the advantages of the optimization of this adhesive in the pediatric population. The advantages include the facility and simplicity of its use, the low cost, the time of the surgeon, reduction in the time of surgery and, most importantly, there is no necessity to remove the sutures, thereby reducing the stress of the child and family members in the postoperative return appointment.
Keywords: Tissue adhesives. Cyanoacrylate. Suture techniques. Cleft lip. Cleft palate