(CS-048) The Use of Methylidene Malonate, a Novel Non-Inflammatory Tissue Glue for the Fixation of Full Thickness Skin Grafts

Introduction

Skin Grafts and skin substitutes require fixation with the usual methods being sutures or surgical staples.  Cyanoacrylate glues can also be used for fixation, but these glues are contraindicated for open wounds because they are inflammatory in some patients.  Methylidene Malonate is a novel tissue glue similar to cyanoacrylates but with non-inflammatory metabolites.  In this pilot series, we present a series of patients where methylidene malonate was used to secure skin grafts or skin substitutes.

Methods:

Materials and Methods

Six patients with full thickness skin defects after skin cancer resection underwent grafting with full thickness skin or a skin substitute.  The full thickness skin grafts were secured with limited suture attachment and full coverage with Methylidene Malonate.  The graft or skin substitute was then covered with a non-sticking compressive dressing.   Patients were followed for 6 weeks to assess graft attachment and complications.

Results:

Results

All skin grafted patients secured with Methylidene Malonate healed within study period of 6 weeks.  All skin substitute treated patients showed complete incorporation of the skin substitute graft.  There were no episodes of infection, dermatitis, or graft loss during the study period.

Discussion:

Discussion

Methylidene Malonate is a novel surgical glue with non-inflammatory metabolites.  This adhesive can be used to affix skin grafts and skin substitutes in the treatment of open wounds.  This procedure modification can reduce procedure time, simplify skin graft and skin substitute care and reduce the need for suture removal after grafts have healed.  Larger studies in different clinical applications will be necessary to examine the use of this novel tissue glue in varied clinical settings.