Sutureless closure of the upper eyelids in blepharoplasty: use of octyl-2-cyanoacrylate.

BACKGROUND: Skin adhesives provide an alternative to sutures for skin closure. The use of octyl-2-cyanoacrylate in blepharoplasty has been reported by some authors, but difficulties in applying the product and the real benefits of its use are still controversial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to show a simple technique for closing the upper incision in blepharoplasty with octyl-2-cyanoacrylate instead of sutures and to discuss its benefits.

METHODS: Eight female patients who underwent blepharoplasty had the upper incision closed with octyl-2-cyanoacrylate, for a total of 16 eyelids studied. Temporary stitches were placed along the incision and pulled by traction to approximate the skin borders. After apposition of the skin borders, high viscosity octyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Dermabond; Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ) was used to close the incision. The stitches were removed immediately after glue crust formation, leaving the incision without sutures. The procedure was timed and a Hollander wound scale was used to evaluate the aesthetic results.

RESULTS: Approximation of the skin borders with temporary stitches made it easier to apply octyl-2-cianoacrylate. The average gap between the skin borders was 1.0 cm. No major complications were encountered, although minor wound dehiscence occurred in 2 eyelids (12.5%). The closure time averaged 6.9 minutes and the aesthetic results were considered very good or excellent.

CONCLUSIONS: Closure of the upper eyelids using octyl-2-cianoacrylate and temporary stitches removed immediately after glue crust formation is a safe and easily reproduced technique, with no differences in aesthetic outcome compared with suture closure.