Experimental study on the chemico-physical interaction between a two-component cyanoacrylate glue and the material of PICCs

Francesca Di Puccio, Daniela Giacomarro, Lorenza Mattei, Mauro Pittiruti, Giancarlo Scoppettuolo, Francesca Di Puccio, Daniela Giacomarro, Lorenza Mattei, Mauro Pittiruti, Giancarlo Scoppettuolo

Abstract

Introduction: The use of cyanoacrylate glue as sealant on the exit site of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) may offer some important clinical advantages. However, concerns exist about the potential interaction between cyanoacrylate and the material of the catheter itself. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of damage to the catheter secondary to a long-term contact with a two-component skin glue (N-butyl + octyl cyanoacrylate).

Methods: Twelve PICCs of different brands and types were selected (11 made of polyurethane and one made of silicon). PICCs were glued onto artificial skin pads, slightly wetted with Earle solution. The pads were kept in an egg incubator at 34°C and 60% humidity, for up to twelve weeks. Possible signs of degradation were monitored by surface analyses and mechanical tests. Scanning electron microscopy observations, surface roughness measurements, pressure strength and uniaxial tests were performed.

Results: Samples were analyzed after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of contact with the glue. No chemical reaction between the glue and the material of the catheters was evident. The mechanical strength of PICCs was consistently within the ranges of ISO standards. An expected increase in the stiffness of the samples covered with glue was observed in uniaxial tests. The silicon catheter was weaker than the polyurethane catheters and was damaged while trying to remove it from the pad for tests.

Conclusions: The long-term use of N-butyl + octyl cyanoacrylate glue on polyurethane PICCs is not expected to be associated to any damage to the catheter.

Keywords: Cyanoacrylate glue; Material degradation; Mechanical properties; Peripherally inserted central catheters; Polyurethane; Silicon.

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: Financial support: GEM srl supported this study.

Conflict of interest: None of the authors has financial interest related to this study to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Sample preparation procedure: (A) a syringe puts a few drops of Earle solution over the artificial skin pad; (B) a layer of glue is dropped over the skin; (C) the sample is positioned on the skin pad and covered with the glue; (D) Pad of samples to be tested at week 4, ready to be put in the incubator; (E) Sample removal from the skin pad.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Experimental activities: both surface analyses and mechanical tests were performed to detect possible catheter degradation.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Examples of pictures from optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses, comparing the initial surface of the PICC to the one covered with glue and to the final one, exposed after glue removal at 8 weeks.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Examples of 3D plots of PICC surface, reconstructed by roughness tests: comparison of the initial original (new) PICC surface and the final surfaces at weeks 8 and 12, after glue removal.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Example of load-strain curves obtained from uniaxial tensile tests at slow speed of samples tested after different weeks from glue deposition.

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Source: PubMed

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