Tissue Adhesive Applications in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Advances in tissue adhesives have transformed soft-tissue management in oral and maxillofacial surgery by offering suture-free or suture-supplemented closure techniques that expedite haemostasis, reduce operative time and enhance patient comfort. Cyanoacrylate-based adhesives in particular have gained prominence for their rapid polymerisation on contact with moisture, providing effective coaptation of mucosal and periosteal flaps in procedures ranging from mandibular third molar extraction to periodontal flap surgery and frenulectomy. Beyond cyanoacrylates, fibrin-based sealants and albumin–glutaraldehyde formulations have been explored for their superior biocompatibility and potential to deliver growth factors directly at the wound site. Clinical benefits include diminished postoperative swelling, reduced erythema and lower risk of infection due to inherent bacteriostatic and haemostatic properties. Challenges remain in ensuring adequate tensile strength in high-tension areas, optimising polymer chain length to minimise tissue irritation and demonstrating long-term outcomes in complex reconstructions. Ongoing research is directed towards hybrid adhesives that combine adhesive strength with bioactive components to promote angiogenesis and accelerate epithelialisation. Globally, the growing accessibility of these adhesives offers promise for resource-limited settings, paediatric care and procedures where minimising needle-based interventions is highly desirable.

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Tissue Adhesive Applications in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in tissue adhesive applications in oral and maxillofacial surgery across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cyanoacrylate adhesive: A fast-polymerising synthetic glue that bonds tissue edges upon contact with moisture, widely used for mucosal and skin closure.

Isoamyl-2-cyanoacrylate: A long-chain cyanoacrylate variant engineered to reduce tissue toxicity and improve flexibility of the adhesive film.

Haemostasis: The physiological process of blood clot formation that stops active bleeding at a surgical site.

Bacteriostatic: The capacity of a substance to inhibit bacterial proliferation without necessarily killing the organisms outright.

Wound dehiscence: Partial or complete separation of the edges of a surgical incision during the healing phase.

References

1. The Role of Cyanoacrylate after Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Single Center Study. Bioengineering (2024).
2. A Comparison Between the Effectiveness of Isoamyl 2-Cyanoacrylate Tissue Adhesive and Silk Sutures in Wound Closure Following Minor Oral Surgical Procedures: A Prospective Clinical Study. Cureus (2023).
3. Beyond the Needle: A Comparative Evaluation of Silk Sutures and Cyanoacrylate for Periodontal Flap Closure. Cureus (2024).