Esthetic Outcomes of Primary Cleft Lip Repair Utilizing 2-Octyl Cyanoacrylate Liquid and a Self-adhesive Polyester Mesh Tape

Abstract

Background: The method of epidermal closure during cleft lip repair is important to consider, as it may affect complication rates, cosmetic outcomes, and patient comfort levels. Historically, this has most commonly been performed with permanent suture that requires subsequent removal, which is not well tolerated in infants. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes between 2-octyl cyanoacrylate liquid with a self-adhesive polyester mesh tape (2-OPMT) and typical suture closure techniques, which to our knowledge has never previously been investigated. Methods: In nine consecutive cleft lip repairs, the epidermal closure was performed with permanent suture, and in the subsequent nine consecutive cleft lip repairs, the epidermal closure was performed with 2-OPMT. Complication rates were compared between the groups. Esthetic scar outcomes were investigated via post-operative photograph analysis utilizing the Manchester Scar Scale. Statistical significance was determined with Fischer Exact Tests and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests. Subsequently, scar scores for 30 cleft lip repairs performed with 2-OPMT in our practice were compared to previously reported scores in the literature for 30 cleft lip repairs performed with typical suture technique. Results: Three patients in the permanent suture group had documented scar-related complications and one patient in the 2-OPMT group had documented scar-related complications. No statistically significant difference was found in complication rates between the two groups. No statistically significant difference was found in esthetic scar scores between the two different closure techniques either within our practice or in comparison to reports in the literature. Conclusions: Overall, the use of 2-OPMT offers comparable esthetic outcomes and complication rates to the use of permanent suture in epidermal closure of cleft lip repairs.