surgical "glueing"

suzanne4, RN · Feb 14, 2004

The incision is NOT completely glued. There are sutures underneath just like in a normal wound. The glue is used to close the very top layer only. There is quite a bit of literature on it. You can request that the hospital where you receive your patients from fax you over a copy, or ask the nurse that is sending you the patient to send you over a copy. Using the glue is not a specific procedure, it is just used in place of suture.

Hope that this helps.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 14, 2004

One brand name is Dermabond. It's a sterile "crazy glue," or "super glue" that, as suzanne4 has posted, is applied only to the top of the skin. There ARE sutures under it. We instruct our patients to just let it wear off on its own. Check it out on the web. Good luck. -- D

eirthjona · Feb 14, 2004

Super glue from memory was used in vietnam by medics be cause is was quick and easy and got the men back on their feet. yes sceary but that is war.

Keysnurse2008 · Feb 15, 2004

Dermabond.Thats the name for it.I work at a great teaching hospital and we have began to use it increasingly more on our patients.The benefits are great.....they can shower and not worry over the h2o bothering the wound,the glue kinda fallsoff on its own after it has healed tissue underneath.It is really stronger than sutures.they just have to watch and not scrubb really hard oveer it(just wash lightly) to ensure the underlying tissue doesnt become irritated.Its great stuff.

charizma · Feb 15, 2004

Dermabond.Thats the name for it.I work at a great teaching hospital and we have began to use it increasingly more on our patients.The benefits are great.....they can shower and not worry over the h2o bothering the wound,the glue kinda fallsoff on its own after it has healed tissue underneath.It is really stronger than sutures.they just have to watch and not scrubb really hard oveer it(just wash lightly) to ensure the underlying tissue doesnt become irritated.Its great stuff.

When you document on appearance of wound, how do you decribe it, do you use the word glue or dermabond? None of the documentation states dermabond,is it all right to say that, I really don't like using the word glue

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 15, 2004

hmmm, haven't thought about THAT!

"Skin closure substance intact, wound remains closed?" OK someone, more???!!!

donmurray · Feb 15, 2004

Cyanoacrylate is the type of glue, and sounds "professional", but many people may not understand the word. Documentation is about communicating, so why not use "glue" so everyone knows what you mean.

plumrn, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2004

We've just been charting wound edges well approximated, without redness,swelling, or drainage, ...for example. I figure the surgeons operative note denotes closure with Dermabond, so I hope that is sufficient.?...

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 15, 2004

It might be something to ask of a suitable committee (Operative Procedures? A nursing committee?), what should be the standard charting for the newer skin closure products.