[pct-l] Stitches

Tue Feb 22 21:49:17 CST 2011

Dear PCT,

My son's Cardiologist (congenital heart defect) told me how they were using
"superglue" (surgical grade) in pediatric heart surgeries in the same year
that I hiked the JMT.  I told him how Superglue was part of my first aid kit
for the JMT.  He wasn't too disturbed and I think mentioned that it was the
same stuff except for the guaranteed sterility of the surgical grade stuff.
I think there are going to be more pathogens introduced by the dirt on the
trail than from the superglue tube.  Surgical grade has to be used in open
heart surgeries where health is fragile and the health and immune system is
already compromised.  You are not going to get a doctor to prescribe regular
superglue for you as they can get sued but my son's Cardiologist did not try
to stop me.  He thought my UL first aid kit was great and clever!

Melanie

On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 3:56 PM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:

> I got my info about super glue from my WOFR instructor. It was awhile ago
> (like 20 years almost), but that's what I know.
> I've used super glue to close wounds. It works great. This was after
> applying "well aimed, direct pressure" and getting the bleeding to stop.
> The
> glue just kept the wound from reopening. I also bandage them as well. I
> don't recall being told NOT to use alcohol, but that the time I didn't
> carry
> alcohol. We just flushed with the cleanest water available as per
> instructions. I'm willing to give up the alcohol idea. Seems like there is
> a
> reason they use it in the hospital though.
>
> I'm gonna have to question the glue needing to be surgically removed. When
> I
> used it on myself, it came off like a scab as the cut healed. I'm not
> suggesting you pour it into the bottom of the wound. I use it to just close
> the wound at the skin. I've only done it twice. Both times on cuts that
> were
> going to likely keep reopening without the aid of super glue.
>
> If you really want the "good stuff" there is this:
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00061MUAG/ref=nosim/kkorg-20
> This is like the stuff used everywhere outside the US for years. The FDA
> never approved super glue because it can cause skin irritation. They have
> finally approved this new variant:
> http://www.amazon.com/Dermabond-Topical-Adhesive-5ml-vial/dp/B0024L19I0
>
> HYOH, and do NOT listen to me for medical advice, ever! I'm not spending
> the
> extra $$ though. I'll carry the tiny little bottle of super glue the same
> as
> I have for almost 20 years. It can be used for lots of other things besides
> wound care as well. Multi purpose is the goal, right? ;)
>
> On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 3:39 PM, Eric <johner27 at evergreen.edu> wrote:
>
> > Paul, I definitely agree with you. I recently completed a WFA course and
> > our
> > professor repeatedly told us to just clean with water.  Also, as far as
> > super glue goes, I hope everyone would NOT use it as if you close a wound
> > with this, the glue will need to be surgically removed.  The better
> > solution
> > would be to stop the bleeding, wrap the wound, and get out of the
> > backcountry ASAP.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Eric
> >
> > On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 11:17 AM, Paul Robison <
> paulrobisonhome at yahoo.com
> > >wrote:
> >
> > > Sorry to chime in like this but it is VERY VERY important you don't
> clean
> > > with alcohol if medical attention is not near...
> > > ...Secondary infections like gangrene and other worse options are
> caused
> > by
> > > alcohol cured wounds.  Alcohol destroys simple bacteria but t also
> > destroys
> > > your body's antibodies in the area, leaving your wound as basically a
> > Petrie
> > > dish for whatever the strongest thing there happens to be
> > >
> > > Unless broad spectrum Antibiotics are available within a day, DO NOT
> > clean
> > > with alcohol.  Irrigate with water and leave he bacteria alone until
> > medical
> > > help is around...
> > >
> > > About superglue... Try make a non toxic glue made from
> > > polyacrimides<(spelling?). That are inert, but it's like 60$ a tube at
> > > amazon.
> > >
> > > I'll take a little blood poisoning on the far outside chance that could
> > > happen.  Superglue is mildly carcinogenic in the blood stream, but so
> are
> > > thousands of other polymer based products we put on our skin.
> > >
> > >
> > > ... Btw, this is much more important in bush situations,  but assess
> your
> > > own safety... Most likely if you get hurt you'll be found in an hour or
> > two,
> > > but in some places it could be a while.  First aid is a seriously
> > important
> > > skill and I recommend everyone study what he us marines do for medical
> > > attention... Their field medics (navy medics I believe? Unsure) are the
> > > best.
> > > Sent from my iPod
> > >
> > > On 2011-02-22, at 12:24 PM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Mr Bulk is right, use super glue. Some alcohol can be used to
> > disinfect,
> > > > then close the wound with super glue. The medical industry won't
> openly
> > > > endorse this, but it's a pretty common practice. There are 2 concerns
> > > with
> > > > this though. First, it creates a very well sealed closure to the
> wound.
> > > > While this is good for keeping things out, it also keeps anything in.
> > > > Irrigate and clean the wound well before closing! Second, the medical
> > > folks
> > > > are concerned about the glue being absorbed into the body. While I
> > > haven't
> > > > heard anyone say it's bad, it's reasonable for them to err on the
> side
> > of
> > > > caution. My theory is, we're exposed to so many toxins in modern
> > society,
> > > > the risk associated with using super glue to close a wound is
> probably
> > > > smaller than the risk of not dealing with the wound.
> > > >
> > > > I carry a tiny bottle of super glue in my first aid kit. Actually,
> > thanks
> > > > for reminding me of this, I should probably get a new one. Mine is
> > > several
> > > > years old. It's unopened, but for $2, I think I'll replace it ;)
> > > >
> > > > On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 9:09 AM, Nitnoid1 <nitnoid1 at yahoo.com>
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> Super glue may work but you would have to look it up. I've heard it
> > > being
> > > >> used in emergency situations far from an ER.
> > > >>
> > > >> The Incredible Bulk
> > > >>
> > > >> On Feb 22, 2011, at 8:03 AM, Amanda L Silvestri <
> aslive at sbcglobal.net
> > >
> > > >> wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >>> I have always been careful while out hiking/backpacking and so have
> > > never
> > > >> yet been cut much worse that a scape or scratch, never the less, it
> > > seems to
> > > >> me that the possibility of tripping or falling (off a slick log or
> > loose
> > > >> rock cliff or whatever) or impaling oneself with a branch, is a
> > > possibility.
> > > >> Even so, I have yet to see in the content list for a First Aid kit,
> a
> > > >> curved needle for stitching up lacerations.  I would not enjoy
> having
> > to
> > > do
> > > >> this, but I can imagine a situation where a butterfly bandage might
> > not
> > > be
> > > >> enough.  It is likewise not hard to imagine this happening some days
> > > away
> > > >> from a road crossing/trail head.  Does anyone carry anything for
> > > stitches in
> > > >> their First Aid kit or do most people just use regular needle and
> > thread
> > > (or
> > > >> dental floss) hoping that will do the trick?
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Shepherd
> > > >>> _______________________________________________
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> > --
> > Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget
> us.
> > ~Henrik Tikkanen
> >
> > “The things you own end up owning you.”* -*Tyler Durden, *Fight Club*
> >
> > "The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a
> monthly
> > salary."—David Hieatt
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