Use of Cyanoacrylate Glue for Temporary Tarsorrhaphy in Children

Abstract

PURPOSE: Congenital anophthalmia and postenucleation socket contracture are difficult conditions that require serial socket expansion with the use of hydrogel expanders and custom-made conformers along with temporary tarsorrhaphy. METHODS: The authors undertook a part prospective case review of all children undergoing temporary tarsorrhaphy using cyanoacrylate glue over a 3-year period at a tertiary specialist children's hospital. RESULTS: They report a series of 7 children undergoing temporary tarsorrhaphy with cyanoacrylate glue instead of the conventional suturing technique. Indications were socket expansion (n = 4), fornix deepening (n = 2), prosthesis reposition, and prolapsed conjunctiva following enucleation (n = 1).The age range was 3 weeks to 14 years (mean, 2.7 years). The glue tarsorrhaphy lasted between 0.5 and 13 weeks (mean, 4.5 weeks). There were no adverse outcomes, and the glue tarsorrhaphy was tolerated well in all cases, with relative ease of reapplication of glue in clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Their study demonstrates that this technique allows quick and efficient temporary tarsorrhaphy with relative ease of reapplication in a clinic setting, avoiding the need for multiple general anesthetics.