Tissue adhesives inhibit experimental new bone formation.

The effect of the cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive Histoacryl on new bone formation was studied in rats. Experimental heterotopic new bone formation was induced by implanting pieces of demineralized allogeneic bone matrix (DABM) in the abdominal wall of 10 growing Sprague-Dawley rats. This produces cartilage formation within and around the implants after 10 days, followed by enchondral ossification and the formation of an ossicle with remodelling bone and bone marrow after three weeks. Prior to implantation, the DABM-implants were treated with increasing amounts of the tissue adhesive n-Butyl-2-cyanoacrylate-monomer (Histoacryl). New bone formation was quantified at three weeks by assay of the ash content of the implants as a measure of net bone formation, by 45calcium uptake prior to sacrifice, and by histology. Treatment of DABM with the cyanoacrylate caused an intense inflammatory process with a foreign body reaction, and abolished bone induction and new bone formation. Tissue adhesives should be used with caution in fracture surgery since they inhibit new bone formation, cause a foreign body reaction, and may impede fracture healing.