Octyl-cyanoacrylate skin adhesive is effective for wound closure in posterior spinal surgery without increased risk of wound complications.

OBJECTIVE

Few published studies have examined the complication profile after posterior spinal surgery wherein absorbable, subcuticular suture and cyanoacrylate skin adhesives (CSA) were used for incision closure. The purpose of this report is to compare the rate and profile of wound complications in a large number of patients who underwent posterior spinal surgery with CSA skin closure to rates of similar complications with standard nylon closure techniques.

METHODS

The prospective database of all surgical cases maintained by the senior author was retrospectively reviewed. Three hundred eighty-two patients underwent posterior spinal surgery for degenerative, oncologic and traumatic pathology. Wound-related complications, including cerebrospinal fluid leak, wound infection and dehiscence were analyzed in all patients.

RESULTS

These data establish that the incisions in patients who undergo posterior spinal surgery can be safely and successfully closed with subcuticular Monocryl™ and CSA without increased risk of CSF leak, wound infection or dehiscence. Rates of these complications were similar between the study population, a small subset of patients treated with traditional closure techniques and those in the established literature.

CONCLUSIONS

CSA is a safe method to achieve ultimate skin closure in patients who undergo posterior spinal surgery without increased risk of wound-related complications, even in those patients undergoing intradural procedures.