COMPARISON OF N-OCTYL-CYANOACRYLATE VS SUTURE IN THE STABILIZATION OFCARTILAGE GRAFTS

Objective: To compare N-octyl-cyanoacrylate and suture control to dete rmine the efficacy of this tissue glue preparation in securing grafted cartilage with an acceptable inflammatory reaction. Design: Four 5-mm circular auricular cartilage grafts were harvested, and 2 of these gr afts were either glued together with N-octyl-cyanoacrylate or sewn tog ether with nylon suture. These sandwich grafts were then glued or sewn to the periosteum of the calvaria. Histologic analysis for inflammati on, necrosis, fibrosis, and foreign-body giant cell reaction was perfo rmed 2 and 6 weeks after implantation. We also measured cartilage graf t migration from the original site of surgical implantation. Subjects: Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits. The 2-week study group consisted o f 7 rabbits (1 died of dehydration), and the 6-week group totaled 8. I ntervention: Each rabbit underwent auricular cartilage harvest and car tilage graft implantation to the parietal skull periosteum. Results: W e found no histological differences between the glue specimens and the suture controls. Similarly, our examination of graft migration yielde d no differences between groups. Conclusions: N-octyl-cyanoacrylate wa s superior to standard suture technique by virtue of its speed, ease, and accuracy of application. No adverse inflammation was observed. Fur ther studies, including clinical trials, are needed to assess the safe ty of N-octyl-cyanoacrylate in humans.