# Safety and Efficacy of Octyl 2-Cyanoacrylate (Dermabond) in Breast Surgery: A Systematic Review

**Authors:** Maciej Rybicki, Marta Fijałkowska, Anna Kasielska-Trojan

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/jcm15062462 · 2026-03-23

## TL;DR

This study reviews the use of Dermabond adhesive in breast surgery, finding it safe and effective compared to traditional sutures.

## Contribution

The paper systematically evaluates Dermabond as a primary skin closure method in breast surgery, highlighting its safety and patient satisfaction.

## Key findings

- 2-OCA has a safety profile comparable to sutures regarding infection and hematoma.
- 2-OCA provides better operative efficacy and higher patient satisfaction due to water resistance and no suture removal.
- Wound dehiscence was slightly higher with 2-OCA, but it remains a viable alternative with proper tension management.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Effective wound closure in breast surgery achieves a compromise between safety and aesthetic outcomes. This systematic review evaluates the effect of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (2-OCA) tissue adhesive (Dermabond) as a primary means of skin closure compared with traditional sutures. Methods: The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023420595). A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases identified ten studies (n = 1870) comparing 2-OCA with standard suturing techniques in breast reduction, reconstruction, and oncological procedures. The methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0 and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: Using the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) framework, the results indicate that 2-OCA offers a safety profile comparable to sutures in terms of the incidence of infection and hematoma. Although a higher incidence of wound dehiscence was observed with glue, 2-OCA showed better operative efficacy and greater patient satisfaction, which is attributed to its immediate water resistance and elimination of the need for suture removal. Conclusions: The analysis suggests that 2-OCA is a feasible structural alternative to skin sutures in appropriately selected patients, with the proper management of deep skin layer tension.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (PubChem CID 9815689)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** dehiscence (MESH:D013529), hematoma (MESH:D006406), infection (MESH:D007239)
- **Chemicals:** water (MESH:D014867), 2-OCA (MESH:C100832)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13026982/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13026982