Cyanoacrylates* in Neonatal and Infants Peristomal Skin Damage

Cyanoacrylates* in Neonatal and Infants Peristomal Skin Damage

Introduction:  Peristomal skin damage in neonates and infants is an all too common occurrence, and such damage to skin can lead to further complications and morbidity.  Given the fragility of the infant or neonatal skin, which is still not fully developed at birth, the clinician options in terms of choosing a skin protectant is very limited. Skin Preps that contain solvents, carry associated risks, and denuded skin prevents containment devices from adhering.  A relatively new class of materials, cyanoacrylates, is applied solvent free to the skin, and forms a non- adhesive polymer barrier very quickly.  The formation of such film allows relief to the peristomal skin, protects underlying skin from further damage caused by leading gastric contents or stoma effluent, and allows the skin to heal.  It also provides a platform for a collection device.

 Intervention:  A cyanoacrylate barrier was applied to infants and neonates with peristomal skin breakdown in gastrostomy and ostomy patients in an effort to heal denuded skin and, in the case of ostomy patients, increase wear-time of the appliance.

 Results:  Appliance wear-time was increased for patients with ostomies.  Skin condition improved, and none of the patients developed an adverse reaction to the cyanoacrylate during their stay in the hospital.  In previous experience this type of skin breakdown has been difficult to heal. 

 * Marathon, Medline Industries Inc.