This study was performed to evaluate the surgical technique and its clinical usefulness of tissue adhesive (2-Octyl cyanoacrylate) combined with amniotic membrane patching in treatment of experimental corneal burn in dogs.

Alkali wounds were inflicted on the central corneas of dogs by applying a round filter paper, 6.0 mm in diameter, soaked in 1 N NaOH for 60 sec. Burning was done unilaterally in each dog. A total of fifteen dogs were divided into three groups of five animals each: (1) uncovered as a control; (2) covered by AM with the amnion cell side down by sutures to the cornea around the wound area with 10–0 nylon; (3) covered by sutureless amniotic membrane patching with 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond).

Time of surgery and during follow-ups, epithelial defects, opacity, blepharospasm duration, AM rejection (in days), corneal vascularization and discharge duration of each eye were measured. The mean time of surgery in group 2 (suture+AM) was significantly longer than group 3 (glue+AM) (p<0.001). AM persistence in group 3 (sutureless AM-covered) was significantly more than group 2 (p=0.023).The epithelial healing was faster in sutureless AM-covered groups than in the control (P=0.038). corneal opacity and blepharospasm duration revealed no significant differences. Days of discharge of AM suturless group were significantly lower in comparison with control group.

None of corneas of AM suturless patching group (group 3) were stained after AM rejection. The clinical evidences propose that sutureless amniotic membrane patching with 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond) can be a fast and useful technique for treatment of alkali burn cornea in dogs.