Each year in the US more than 50 million surgeries are performed.¹ Treatment of resulting surgical scars has driven decades of research, and it is estimated that in the US $20 billion per year is spent on scar treatment and management.²

Patients have made it clear that they are highly concerned about scarring after surgery and the vast majority value even small improvements in scarring.³ The negative impact on patients as well as the substantial costs to the healthcare system for the treatment and management of scars indicate that prevention of post-surgical scarring should be a top priority.

In fact, it has been known for decades that increased mechanical tension at the incision site plays a major role in the development of scar tissue.^4,5 Scar Management Practical Guidelines recommend several techniques serving to “offload” mechanical tension during surgical wound closures. These techniques include⁶:

1. Layered surgical closures with subcutaneous sutures
2. Approximating wound edges with as little mechanical tension as possible

It has been established that the use of wound closure strips can reduce mechanical tension at the incision site and improve the postoperative scar,^7,8 unfortunately, their use has been limited due to their poor adhesive qualities.⁹ An adjunct liquid adhesive can reinforce wound closure strips, increasing their adherence and facilitating mechanical tension reduction. Two frequently used liquid adhesives for this purpose are Mastisol® Liquid Adhesive and compound tincture of benzoin. Several clinical studies have compared them side-by-side for efficacy and safety.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that Mastisol Liquid Adhesive is superior to tincture of benzoin for the safe reinforcement of tapes and dressings.

In addition to the reduced risk of contact dermatitis, Mastisol is non-water soluble, allowing patients to bathe or shower without loss of adhesiveness and facilitating securement in moist areas. Mastisol is a clear liquid and will not stain skin or hospital linens.

You can use surgical wound closure strips confidently, knowing they can be safely secured with Mastisol. For more information, or to request a sample to experience for yourself superior securement with Mastisol®, please contact your sales consultant or Eloquest Healthcare®, Inc., call 1-877-433-7626

1. Surgery 2015-2017 Final Report. National Quality Forum Website. www.qualityforum.org/Publications/2017/04/Surgery_2015-2017_Final_Report.aspx. Accessed February 4, 2019. 2. Block L, Gosain A, King TW. Advances in Wound Care. 2015;4:607-614. 3. Young VL, Hutchison J. Plastic & Reconstructive surgery. 2009;124:256-65. 4. Barnes LA, Marshall CD, Leavitt T et al. Advances in Wound Care. 2018;7:47-56. 5. Atkinson JM, McKenna KT, Barnett AG et al. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2005;116:1648-56. 6. Monstrey S, Middelkoop E, Vranckx JJ, et al. J Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2014;67:1017-25. 7. Lesesne CB. The postoperative use of wound adhesives. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1992;18:990. 8. Moy RL, Quan MB. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1990;16:721-3. 9. Yavuzer R, Kelly C, Durrani N, et al. Am. J. Surgery. 2005;189:315-18. 10. Mikhail GR, Selak L, Salo S. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1986;12:904-6. 11. Katz KH, Desciak EB, Maloney ME. Dermatol Surg. 1999;25:686-8. 12. James WD, White SW, Yanklowitz B. Allergic contact dermatitis to compound tincture of benzoin. J Am Acad Derm. 1984;11:847-50. 13. Scardamaglia L, Nixon R, Fewings J. Austral J Derm. 2003;44:180-4.