The efficacy of N-2-butyl cyanoacrylate in the fixation of nasal septum to the anterior nasal spine in rabbits

In nasal septal surgery, fixing the caudal portion of the nasal septum to the anterior nasal spine is difficult with the present techniques. N-2-butyl cyanoacrylate is a form of cyanoacrylate which is bioabsorbable and biocompatible. The feasibility and efficacy of the compound, which is easy to apply to the tissues, for the above purpose is investigated in this experimental study. Fourteen New Zealand rabbits were included in the study. The nasal septum was exposed with the open approach (transcolumellar). In the study group (n = 10), the septum was detached from the nasal floor and attached to a point 3 mm lateral to the nasal spine on the right side, using 2-butyl cyanoacrylate. In control group (n = 4) it was deviated 3 mm to the right side and left for spontaneous healing without using any fixation method. Beginning on the third postoperative week, one animal was sacrificed under general anesthesia, every week in the study group and every third week in the control group, and the septum was analysed. Foreign body reaction, histotoxicity, and the structure of the regenerative tissue in the junction of bone and cartilage were analysed with histopathology. The success of stabilization in the study group, where the septum was attached with N-2-butyl cyanoacrylate, was significantly superior to the control group where no fixation method was used (P < 0.05). Histopathologically, there were no differences between the two groups with respect to foreign body reaction, histotoxicity, and the tissue that formed between the bone and cartilage (P > 0.05). This study demonstrated that N-2-Butyl cyanoacrylate was successful in the fixation of the caudal edge of the nasal septum to the anterior nasal spine. No serious infections, foreign body reaction, necrosis or histotoxicity were observed.