Randomised trial of histoacryl blue tissue adhesive glue versus suturing in the repair of paediatric lacerations

Objective: To compare histoacryl blue tissue adhesive glue with suturing in the repair of simple paediatric lacerations. Methodology: Prospective, randomised controlled trial in tertiary paediatri c emergency department. Children 4 years old or older with non-ragged lacer ations <5 cm in length, <12-h-old and not involving eyelid or mucous membra ne. a total of 163 patients were randomly allocated to either glue (83 case s) or sutures (80 controls) to repair their laceration. Primary outcome mea sures were cosmetic outcome at 3 and 12 months with secondary outcomes-leng th of time to perform procedure, and pain assessment of procedure by doctor , nurse, parent and child. Results: Cases and controls were similar in age, wound length and width and body part involved, but more females received glue (P = 0.013). Time taken to repair the wound was faster in the glue group (median 0-2 mins vs. 6-10 min suture, P < 0.001). Doctors (P = 0.02), nurses (P < 0.01) and parents (P = 0.02) but not the children themselves (P = 0.24) rated glue repair as less distressing. Complications at I week (wound dehiscence, redness and di scharge) were the same for both groups (P > 0.2), Cosmetic outcome was the same for both groups at 3 (n = 65) and 12 (n = 65) months (P > 0.7). Conclusion: Tissue adhesive glue is faster and probably less painful than s uturing. Tissue adhesive glue has the same cosmetic result as suturing when used for the repair of simple lacerations in children.