Use of cyanoacrylate in skin closure for ovariohysterectomy in a population control programme

N-butyl-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive was evaluated as a skin closure material in a population control programme. Fifty-two female cats underwent ovariohysterectomy: skin closure of 25 of those cats was undertaken with nylon (3-0) and in 27 with the adhesive. Twenty-three cats spent the postoperative period confined in cages and 29 were free within a 50-square-metre fenced area. The parameters used for evaluation were: dehiscence or secretion and presence and extension of erythema at the surgical site. It was observed that the time required for closure of the surgical site with the adhesive was shorter than with nylon, saving approximately 1 min per animal. The adhesive or conventional suture allowed similar healing, and independent of material used for skin closure or the postoperative exercise, there was no statistical difference in wound cicatrization. As the adhesive eliminates the need for suture removal and decreases surgery time, without additional risk to the cat, it may be indicated for surgical population control programmes.