Histoacryl®

Description

Composition & Variants

• Main ingredient: Monomeric n‑butyl‑2‑cyanoacrylate—a rapidly polymerizing topical adhesive activated by tissue fluids.

• Product variants:

  • Translucent (clear): Ideal for cosmetic-sensitive areas (like the face).

  • Blue: Enhances visibility and helps control the application amount.

  • Histoacryl® Flexible (blue): Incorporates plasticizers for added flexibility—ideal for areas with movement or longer incisions. 

---

Indications

Histoacryl® can be used for:

• Skin Closure: Clean, minimal‑tension incisions (e.g., surgical, lacerations)

• Sclerotherapy: Endoscopic treatment of large esophageal or gastric varices

• Mesh Fixation: Hernia mesh anchoring, especially in inguinal hernia repairs

• Flexible variant: Particularly suited for longer or mobile wound sites; closes up to ~25 cm with one ampoule. 

---

Key Features & Advantages

General (Clear & Blue variants)

• Rapid polymerization upon contact—wound closure in as little as 30–60 seconds. 

• Acts as an antimicrobial barrier, reducing infection risk.

• Less painful than suturing and avoids needle-induced trauma. 

• Avoids the need for suture removal, offering better cosmetic results and shorter procedure times. 

• Room-temperature storage—generally below 22–25 °C.

Flexible variant

• Enhanced flexibility and tensile strength (combines octyl-like flexibility with butyl adhesive strength).Effective microbial barrier for up to 7 days, assuming the adhesive layer stays intact.

• Covers longer wound sites, with one ampoule handling up to ~25 cm. 

• Beveled applicator tip (optional) enables precise, even application across longer incisions. 

• Low rates for:

  • Wound dehiscence: ≤ 4.5%

  • Infection: ≤ 3.9%

  • Overall complication: ≤ 10.2% 

---

Scientific Mechanism & Polymerization

• Mechanism: In contact with hydroxide ions (e.g., body fluids or moisture), the cyanoacrylate monomers polymerize to form long, durable chains via an exothermic reaction.

• Polymerization timeframe: Typically 20 seconds to 2 minutes, though very moist conditions can accelerate the reaction excessively.

• Considerations:

  • Heat generated during polymerization may cause discomfort in deeper or large applications.

  • Potential toxicity from degradation products—though modern longer-chain formulations like n‑butyl cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl®) are far more biocompatible than older short-chain versions. 

---

Quick Reference Table