DERMABOND Topical Skin Adhesive is a sterile, liquid topical skin adhesive designed to repair lacerations and to close surgical incisions. It reacts with moisture on the skin’s surface to form a strong, flexible bond. DERMABOND adhesive is the first cyanoacrylate adhesive approved for this use in the United States. DERMABOND Topical Skin Adhesive is intended for topical application only to hold closed easily approximated skin edges of wounds from surgical incisions, including punctures from minimally invasive surgery, and simple, thoroughly cleansed, trauma-induced lacerations. DERMABOND Topical Skin Adhesive may be use in conjunction with, but not in place of, subcuticular sutures
Tissue adhesive used extensively in Vietnam war was also cyanoacrylate based.
History and development:
In 1959, a variety of cyanoacrylate adhesives were developed, some types of which are now used for surgical purposes in Canada and Europe. These glues polymerize on contact with basic substances such as water or blood to form a strong bond. The first glue developed was methyl cyanoacrylate, which was studied extensively for its potential medical applications and was rejected due to its potential tissue toxicity such as inflammation or local foreign body reactions. Methyl alcohol has a short molecular chain which contributes to these complications.
Further research revealed that by changing the type of alcohol in the compound to one with a longer molecular chain, the tissue toxicity was much reduced. All the medical grade tissue adhesives currently available for human use contain butyl-esters, which are costlier to produce.
According to modern bushcraft lore a bit of super glue spread over a cut will seal it faster and better than any bandage. It can be used for small emergency sutures, as well. It should not be used for gaping wounds or to any wounds very close to eyes or mouth. You can use gauze to protect nostrils, ears, eyes, mouth etc.
(Quinn & Kissick, 1994) Current use: Although not labeled as such, over-the-counter Super Glue products contain methyl alcohol, because it is inexpensive to produce. Cyanoacrylates cure by a chemical reaction called polymerization, which produces heat. Methyl alcohol has a pronounced heating action when it contacts tissue and may even produce burns if the glue contacts a large enough area of tissue. Rapid curing may also lead to tissue necrosis. Midwives have not noted such reactions because minimal amounts are being used for perineal repair. Nevertheless, with a greater toxic potential, over-the-counter products are inappropriate for use in wound closure. (Quinn & Kissick, 1994)
I’ve found an equal number of comments from medical professionals saying that regular over-the-counter hardware super glue is sufficiently non-toxic. Still, I think that I’ll try to find some medical adhesive to replace the regular Krazy Glue container in my first aid kit.
While researching (read: googling) the subject I also found a couple of other interesting products such as a dental emergency kit and a venom extractor
EDIT: Since the writing of this post, I’ve bought the medical grade liquid bandage and used it quite often. It works really, really well!!
Posted by api in Outdoor pursuits, Wonders of technology