Patients reported nearly identical satisfaction and scar appearance with both Dermabond (2-octyl cyanoacrylate) and Steri-Strips after breast reduction surgery, according to a brief report. Researchers also found no significant difference in postoperative scar appearance, patient satisfaction, or surgeon-assessed outcomes following breast reduction surgery in the prospective, randomized clinical trial. Both dressings demonstrated equivalent cosmetic and functional results, which indicated they may be used interchangeably in clinical practice. Results also showed no significant association between dressing type and resection weight. Median patient scores for all parameters were 10 for both dressings. Surgeon assessments and spectrophotometric measurements similarly demonstrated no statistically significant differences at any follow-up point.
Still, Anna Kasielska-Trojan, MD, PhD, of the Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic at the Institute of Surgery, Medical University of Lodz in Poland, reported with colleagues that "it may be valuable to discuss not only the desired surgical effect but also examine [patients'] expectations for postoperative wound management; ie, patients who claim to have 'sensitive' skin and poor tolerance for adhesive tapes seem to better tolerate Dermabond. Also, those who worry about problematic healing should be considered for Dermabond." They also noted that cost per breast may affect decision-making between dressing types: Dermabond (0.7 mL) is approximately 40 euro and 6 Steri-Strips are 10 euro.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, aimed to evaluate whether Dermabond or Steri-Strips offered superior aesthetic and patient-reported outcomes in wound healing. A total of 49 women who were a mean age of about 42 years underwent bilateral breast reduction with an inverted T incision. Each patient served as her own control: one breast’s vertical incision was dressed with Dermabond Advanced (Ethicon Inc, Johnson & Johnson MedTech), and the other with Steri-Strips.
Postoperative care was standardized across all participants. No ointments were used during the first 14 days; thereafter, a greasing ointment was applied twice daily, and silicone gel therapy began 2 weeks after dressing removal and continued for at least 6 months. Scar quality was assessed at 2 and 4 weeks and at 3 and 6 months using both subjective and objective measures. Patients rated wound care, pain, redness, and overall satisfaction on a 10-point scale, while surgeons evaluated scar appearance, color, width, elevation, and elasticity. Objective colorimetric evaluation of scar pigmentation was performed using a DSM II (Cortex Technology) dermospectrophotometer.
No conflicts of interest were reported.