Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Sep 14;6(9):e1841.
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001841. eCollection 2018 Sep.

Contact Dermatitis Caused by Dermabond Advanced Use

Affiliations

Contact Dermatitis Caused by Dermabond Advanced Use

Shiho Nakagawa et al. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. .

Abstract

Background: Dermabond Advanced (DBA) has been widely used globally; however, severe contact dermatitis (CD) can be a serious adverse effect of DBA use. In this study, we investigated the characterization and incidence rate of CD after using DBA and the safe use of DBA.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients who underwent skin closure with DBA were investigated. All patients were women undergoing breast reconstruction. DBA was applied to their trunk and limbs following reconstruction.

Results: Seven patients (7%) presented with CD. Of these, 4 patients exhibited CD after the second DBA use; sensitization influence by the first DBA use was considered. One of 3 patients presenting with CD after the first DBA use was allergic to cosmetic glue, and the influence of immunological cross-reaction of acrylates was suggested.

Conclusion: We consider that DBA use is inadequate for wounds with an improper margin and in dry and low-skin barrier areas such as the trunk and limbs because it may induce irritant CD and sensitization of DBA and subsequent allergic CD. Frequent use can also induce sensitization. If patients have a history of acrylate allergies, DBA use should be avoided because immunological cross-reaction from acetylates could result.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Abdominal wound closure with Dermabond after flap elevation.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
A 53-year-old woman represents contact dermatitis just after the first use of Dermabond for abdominal wound after flap elevation. She experienced severe itching and long-lasting skin pigmentation after dermatitis.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
A 36-year-old woman exhibited severe contact dermatitis after a second use of Dermabond for abdominal scar revision. No issue was observed after the first Dermabond use to close the abdominal donor-site wound.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
A 46-year-old woman had a documented history of contact dermatitis after Dermabond use. Later, she received scar revision of her forearm scaring caused by anticancer drug leakage of anticancer drug. Dermabond was erroneously used again; it was immediately removed, but acute allergic reactions occurred with blisters and skin redness.

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Singer AJ, Perry LC, Allen RL., Jr In vivo study of wound bursting strength and compliance of topical skin adhesives. Acad Emerg Med. 2008;15:1290. - PubMed
    1. Bhende S, Rothenburger S, Spangler DJ, et al. In vitro assessment of microbial barrier properties of Dermabond topical skin adhesive. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2002;3:251. - PubMed
    1. Quinn J, Wells G, Sutcliffe T, et al. A randomized trial comparing octylcyanoacrylate tissue adhesive and sutures in the management of lacerations. JAMA. 1997;277:1527. - PubMed
    1. Maw JL, Quinn JV. Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives. Amer J Cosmetic Surg. 1997;14:413.
    1. Miyzaki K, Sunaga A, Sugawara Y. Assessment of cleft lip scar closed with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate. J Jpn PRS. 2011;31:349.