Surgical glue?

hsant · May 2015

Hi all,

I was recently diagnosed with DCIS, with a possible borderline micro invasion. Because I have strong family history (lost my sister at 42, my mother at 71 and my paternal grandmother was a survivor), I've decided to have a BMX without reconstructive surgery. I'm just waiting to hear from the surgery scheduler for a date.

I've been lurking here for awhile, but this is my first post. Anyway, in one of the threads someone mentioned something about using glue with respect to the surgery. I can't remember what the purpose of this is, but I know it was something that interested me and I would like to ask my surgeon about it.

Thanks you for sharing your stories, and your knowledge. It has helped me tremendously!

Sending love and prayers,
Heidi

grammakathy · May 2015

My BS used glue for the incision following my Mx. Sat the next two surgeries, the PS used tape. I think they use whatever they are more comfortable with. It took a good month to get the glue off! The narrow tape was much easier

hsant · May 2015

Thanks Grammakathy! What is the benefit of using glue instead of tape for the BMX? I'm opting out of reconstructive surgery.

Hugs, Heidi

grammakathy · May 2015

I don't think there is an advantage of one over the other. It is just what the surgeon prefers to use. Glue might be preferable if someone is allergic to tape. The glue left me with a very even seam line. Good luck Heidi!

Chloesmom · May 2015

I liked the glue. Made an even line. The last little bit flakes off last week. 5 months post BMX

hsant · May 2015

Thanks GrammaKathy and Chloesmom! This helps tremendously. I definitely want a nice, straight, even seam. I'm going to ask my bs about this. I also read you can take a shower sooner after surgery with the glue.

Thanks again!

Heidi

grammakathy · May 2015

Even with the tape, I was able to shower as soon as the drains were removed. Boy did it feel good!

Kicks · May 2015

Both my port implant and my UMX, surgical glue was used. There was no tape with either but did have 2 steri-strips over the port implant as he thought I might do more than I 'should' and they would hold better than just the glue. Can't even see the incision line anymore. With my UMX, he used surgical glue then too (no steri-strips or 'tape'). I have a very fine thin scar line but there can be different reasons for how the scar turns out - the talent/expertise of the surgeon, do infections occur and how we individually heal 'scar wise' normally are a few.

My understanding is that besides making a smooth line that is evenly attached the entire length of the incision, without external sutures there is less potential for infection as there are no sutures that 'break' the skin which opens it to infection. There will still be internal disolveable sutures.

hsant · May 2015

"My understanding is that besides making a smooth line that is evenly attached the entire length of the incision, without external sutures there is less potential for infection as there are no sutures that 'break' the skin which opens it to infection. There will still be internal disolveable sutures."

So, if glue is used external sutures aren't necessary, but with tape they are?

Thanks

Kicks · May 2015

I had no external sutures. 'Tape' not sure what you mean.

..

amygil81 · May 2015

When I had my original mastectomy 14 years ago, I had full thread sutures on my incision. My surgeon had to remove them at post-op visits. When I had additional surgery for my chest wall recurrence (I call it my "upgrade" surgery), my surgeon used dissolving sutures internally, and used tape strips to hold the skin together. I had to keep them on and dry for a week.

It's difficult to think of things like this when we are in the midst of BC treatment. There is so much else on our minds at the time. OMG, I have cancer. OMG, they're taking off my breast(s). OMG, what else are they going to do to me? OMG, I so want to live! And so on. Inquiring about closure types doesn't always make the cut (sorry). But it's entirely reasonable to ask your surgeon what she is going to do, and to make a request if you want something specific.

Hope this helps. Amy

hsant · May 2015

Thanks Amy! This helps tremendously! I have a much clearer understanding how surgical glue fits into the process of the surgery, and the benefits of glue over steri strips. I know that the most important thing is to extract all cancer, with wide, clear margins. But I'm not going to lie. I care about aesthetics:).

Kicks, thank you for bringing internal/external sutures to my attention. Infection is a fear of mine, and internal sutures makes sense with respect to that and to achieving a nice, thin seam. I'm definitely going to ask my bs about this.

Gramma Kathy, I think you can shower 48 hours after surgery if surgical glue is used.

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to answer my questions, and for sharing your experiences and knowledge!

Heidi

grammakathy · May 2015

Heidi - I had drains and was told not to shower until they were out. I had a total of three surgeries - and drains all three times (yuk, but good in the long run). For the second surgery, I wrapped my chest in syran wrap and showered midway. My PS laughed but said it was OK because nothing was wet. She had used the thin tape instead of glue. At my month checkup, that tape was still very stuck to my incision, even though I was showering daily. She removed it and told me that some people have skin that makes the tape adhere better than others. My PS did such a good job with my second MS and the TE insertion, and final exchange, that I was happy to let her do her work the way she felt was best. She is an artist! And even with tape, my seams are straight, although still a little red after eight months.

crystalphm · May 2015

I had the glue for both breasts, 2 years apart, and it worked out wonderful. I have straight flat incisions that you can hardly even see anymore.

The alternative is stitches.

I would be pretty sure the doctor did use stitches that dissolved in under layers, because small pieces of stitch came to the surface eventually, but the final closing was glue. I had no tape, no binding, no compression and no problems! Hope this helps.

hsant · May 2015

Grammakathy, I have to say, you are so beautiful! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. You obviously had a very talented surgeon.

Crystalphm, thank you! Helps tremendously!

Suladog · May 2015

hsant,

I had glue at UCSF 6 months ago , pretty amazing... First time around back 25 years ago it was staples at Cedars Sinai in LA. Times have changed

hsant · June 2015

Thank you, Suladog! I had my surgery at Cedar Sinai. Thankfully, staples are in the past😀. My surgeon used steri strips, and said their policy is glue for procedures such as biopsies. I'm very happy with the results thus far. I was initially diagnosed with DCIS with a possible borderline micro invasion. However, pathology found a 1.5 cm invasive tumor that somehow went undetected, so my surgeon wants to take out more tissue, because the tumor was located close to the skin

Suladog · June 2015

hsant,

I had my first treatment at Cedars 25 yrs ago. Leo Gordon was by BS and Michael Van Scoy Mosher my MO. They were both great. Cedars has lots of terrific people.

hsant · June 2015

Suladog, I had my first meeting with Dr. Van Schoy-Mosher. He is very knowledgeable and compassionate. I'm extremely happy with Cedar Sinai, thus far. Everyone has been wonderful.

Suladog · June 2015

hsant,

Michael Van Scoy Mosher was my MO for 20 yrs until I moved north. He's a really great guy

brend · July 2015

My doc used both glue, and dissolovable stitches. Healing just fine now....but it does take a while for the glue to come off. I was told I could shower as soon as I got home, with drains in. A friend gave me some sort of "drain pocket system". Its basically 2 over priced soda huggies on a string you hang around your neck!

Surgical glue?

Comments

Categories