Adhesive use in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Presently, tissue adhesives and sealants have limited use in oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures. Skin closure occurs regularly with cyanoacrylate adhesives. Sealing of dural tears in conjunction with dural closure has been shown to be very successful. With the development of more head and neck reconstructive procedures and cosmetic procedures, demand will increase for better surgical adhesives. Clinical trials are beginning for newly developed adhesives with the chemical characterizations, the safe reabsorptive profile, and the adhesive strength necessary to benefit oral and maxillofacial surgery patients in the near future. Adhesives for bone fixation, while in early development, also show a promising chemical profile and will be of significant benefit to oral and maxillofacial surgical patients.