Utility of 2- Octyl Cyanoacrylate (2-OCA)

Paracentesis is a commonly performed procedure in the inpatient and outpatient settings for treatment of ascites. The most frequent complication of paracentesis is fluid leak. Risk for this complication can be reduced by following the Z-track technique; however, fluid leaks still occur causing significant morbidity. 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate (2-OCA, Dermabond manufactured by Ethicon Inc) skin adhesive has been used for years for skin closure for wounds from surgical incisions including punctures from minimally invasive surgery and simple trauma lacerations. It has also been used for treatment of ascites fluid leaks following paracentesis with success in case reports. While the initial FDA approval included a contraindication for use on mucosal surfaces, some evidence in literature suggests that use on mucosal surfaces might warrant further investigation. For example, 2-OCA has been used for repair of a lacerated tongue of a pediatric patient and for closure of congenital cleft lips