Randomized prospective study comparing conventional subcuticular skin closure with Dermabond skin glue after saphenous vein harvesting.

BACKGROUND: Dermabond (Ethicon UK, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) is a topical skin adhesive used for surgical wound closure, with purported advantages over conventional sutures on cosmetic outcomes, cost benefits, and operative times. This study compared results of skin closure using Dermabond and subcuticular sutures after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS: The study prospectively enrolled and randomized 106 patients who underwent CABG. The groups received closure with Dermabond skin glue or subcuticular sutures (n = 53 each) after saphenous vein harvesting using the bridging technique. Wound closure time for the two methods was recorded. Cosmetic appearance was assessed using the Hollander, the Vancouver, and the visual analog scale. Patient satisfaction was recorded before discharge and at week 6.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the total operative time between the two groups (p = 0.43). Closure time was significantly shorter in the Dermabond group (p = 0.017). Patients in the Dermabond group also reported superior cosmetic outcome at weeks 1 (p < 0.001) and 6 (p = 0.001) and improved patient satisfaction (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Dermabond has demonstrated superiority over traditional subcuticular skin sutures in terms of closure time, cosmetic appearance, and patient satisfaction. This technique provides a novel method of wound closure after CABG.