Acute reaction to arterial adhesive in healing skin wounds

The acute effect of a synthetic arterial adhesive, methyl alpha-cyanoacrylate, on healing wounds was investigated experimentally by using 22 albino rats. The adhesive was applied on one of two excised wounds, made in a dorsal area of each animal. The rats were killed 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours after injury. The wounds were studied histologically, and histochemically, by using three methods for esterase activity. The glue caused a necrosis which was about twice as deep as that seen in the immediate vicinity of the edge of nontreated wounds. The imminent necrosis appeared histochemically as a loss of esterase activity one hour after injury. The first histologic signs of necrosis could be demonstrated in 8-hour wounds. Surrounding the central or superficial area with diminishing vitality, there was an increase in esterase activity in a peripheral wound zone. The intensification was demonstrable in both types of wounds from one to 24 hours after injury, the enzyme activity remaining strong subsequently. The glue caused a continuous granulocytic response in the peripheral zone from 8 hours on. By contrast, polymorphonuclear leukocytes began to be superseded by mononuclear cells in 16-hour, nontreated wounds. Further research work should be directed toward developing an adhesive of the same type, but less irritating to tissue.