Arch Orthop Trauma Surg (2009) 129:167–169 DOI 10.1007/s00402-008-0643-5 123 ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY Foreign body reaction after usage of tissue adhesives for skin closure: a case report and review of the literature Adrian Dragu · Frank Unglaub · Stephan Schwarz · Justus P. Beier · Ulrich Kneser · Alexander D. Bach · Raymund E. Horch Received: 19 November 2007 / Published online: 30 April 2008  Springer-Verlag 2008 Abstract Introduction The usage of tissue adhesives such as 2-octyl cyanoacrylate is a standard tool for closure of superWcial wounds of the body. The bene Wts using 2-octyl cyanoac- rylate are well known and appreciated by surgeons world wide. Especially in superWcial or small wounds in children where no surgical procedure is wanted this technique is commonly used. However, so far the risks and possible complications after using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate are not suYciently published and discussed. Case report We report a case of foreign body reaction after 3 weeks in a 39-year-old female patient after usage of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate treating a superWcial wound of the right wrist. Conclusion The use of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate for the clo- sure of superWcial and small wounds or lacerations is a sim- ple, quick and comfortable method. However, there is clinical evidence that in some cases the use of this type of tissue adhesive may lead to foreign body reaction. We sug- gest that each patient who is treated by this type of wound closure technique should be mandatory informed on the potential risk of a foreign body reaction. Keywords Tissue adhesives · 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond ® ) · Foreign body reaction · Postoperative complication · Wound healing Introduction The usage of tissue adhesives such as 2-octyl cyanoacrylate is an alternative to traditional sutures for repair of superW- cial and small wounds in all surgical Welds [1–13]. The idea of using a sort of synthetic glue for the sutureless closure of a wound is more than 40 years old and not as often believed a modern idea and invention of biomedicine [14–17]. Since then a lot of research and studies have been performed on the eVectiveness of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate [10, 11, 14, 18– 21]. The tissue adhesive does not impair wound healing and may reduce the risk of wound infection. The potential bene- Wts and advantages of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate are eminent: the ease of use, the rapid closure of wounds, less wound infections, the convenient, comfortable and painless proce- dure for the patient and the obviation of suture removal. Furthermore, the cosmetic outcomes have been published as to be equal to other wound closure techniques such as steri-strips or sutures [1, 6, 8]. However, little is known about the risks and complications of the use of 2-octyl cya- noacrylate. Literature data indicates cases of foreign body reactions due to other synthetic material [22–24], but oVers little information about the risks and complications of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate [19, 25–27]. Case report A 39-year-old female patient presented with local pains and a radiopalmar tumour with a size of 1.0 £ 0.5 £ 0.5 cm. A. Dragu (&) · F. Unglaub · J. P. Beier · U. Kneser · A. D. Bach · R. E. Horch Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Clinic, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany e-mail: adrian.dragu@uk-erlangen.de S. Schwarz Institute of Pathology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Clinic, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany