Experience of using cyanoacrylate glue to secure midline and centrally inserted central catheters: a retrospective analysis of 57 cases

Introduction:
The aim of the study was to analyze the efficacy of tissue adhesive in patients with midline catheters and centrally inserted central catheters inserted by the vascular access team, and to determine whether coagulation parameters affected premature tissue adhesive removal.

Material and methods:
The subjects of the analysis were 57 cannulation and observation charts maintained by vascular access team (VAT) and medical staff at a university hospital in Poland from October 2024 to January 2025. Assessment of patient eligibility for tissue adhesive application was performed by the VAT. The patients most commonly selected for this procedure were those with reduced platelet levels or those taking anticoagulants. Based on the initial clinical assessment, a VAT made the decision to apply tissue adhesive. Secure Port IV tissue adhesive (Adhezion Biomedical, USA), containing butyl cyanoacrylate, was used to secure the catheters according to the current hospital procedure.

Results:
Cyanoacrylate glue was used in 57 patients of internal medicine and surgical wards. In 75.5% of patients (n = 43), tissue adhesives (TA) successfully secured the catheter exit-site from the skin for the required time. In 54.4% of cases (n = 31) the TA, according to the local procedure, was removed routinely during the dressing change on day 7 after insertion, while in 21.1% (n = 12) the reason for earlier removal of the TA was patient discharge, death or catheter removal.

Conclusions:
Observations indicate its usefulness especially in cases of increased bleeding risk and in populations with coagulation disorders. Despite a shorter-than-expected adhesive dwell time, its use was not associated with significant local complications.