Evaluation of a Cyanoacrylate Liquid Skin Protectant for the Treatment of Injury-Related Skin Tears Type I in Elderly Patients

Introduction:  Injury-related skin tears occur more frequently in elderly patients due to mechanical forces such as; shearing, blunt trauma, poor handling, equipment injury, or removal of adherent dressings.1 The prevalence of skin tears varies worldwide and across different healthcare settings perhaps due to underreporting.

Objective: Evaluate a cyanoacrylate liquid skin protectant (CLKP) for the closure and healing of injury-related skin tears Type I in elderly patients. Skin tears Type I are classified as: no skin loss with skin flap that can be repositioned to cover the wound bed.2

Method: Four elderly skin tear patients (age 80-98 years) were evaluated, with each presenting with a skin tear Type I. Case 1; sustained a skin tear on the right upper and lower arm caused by a fall. Case 2; sustained a skin tear on the left upper arm caused by a fall. Case 3; sustained a skin tear on the right shoulder caused by a fall. Case 4; sustained a skin tear on the left cheek caused by a fall. On day 1, margins of the skin flap were repositioned and secured with CLKP. Case 1 and 4 also received steristrips that were removed prior to CLKP application. All patients were evaluated for skin tear closure post-CLKP application. Results: Case 1; Skin tear closure at day 3 post-CLKP allowed for patient discharge. Case 2; complete skin tear healing was observed at day 18 post-CLKP. Skin tear closure at day 5 post-CLKP allowed for patient discharge. Case 4; complete skin tear healing was observed at day 14 post-CLKP.

Conclusion: We conclude that CLKP is an effective treatment for injury-related skin tears Type I in elderly patients. Skin tear closure was observed 3-5 days post-CLKP with complete healing at 14-18 days.