How to remove Superglue from the mouth: case report

Clinical profile and management of ocular superglue injuries: Case series and review of literature

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical profile and management of patients with ocular superglue injury (OSI).

METHODS

This retrospective study included all patients with OSI who presented at a tertiary eye care institute between 2016 and 2020. Data regarding demographics, clinical profile, and management were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 66 eyes of 58 patients (24 children, 34 adults) with a median age of 22.5 years [interquartile range (IQR): 11.3-31] were included. All cases sustained accidental injuries, with domestic injury at home being the most common location of injury among children (79%) and adults (53%) ( P = 0.39). The median visual acuity at presentation was worse in children [0.3 logMAR (IQR: 0.2-0.4)] as compared to adults [0.1 logMAR (IQR: 0.1-0.3)] ( P = 0.03)]. The most common clinical sign at presentation was conjunctival congestion in 77% of eyes (51/66) followed by polymerized glue stuck to the eyelashes and eyelids in 52% of eyes (34/66). The median duration from the time of injury to presentation was 2 hours in both groups. All eyes resolved with medical management. Examination under anesthesia was required in three children (13%) to evaluate the extent of OSI. None of the patients had long-term ocular complications.

CONCLUSION

Improper and careless handling of superglue in the domestic setting may cause accidental ocular injuries that require immediate medical attention. OSI represents less severe ocular injuries that respond to medical therapy alone and is not associated with long-term visual morbidity. Modifications in the packaging of superglue containers and awareness about their deleterious effects could prevent these injuries.

Moderate Gastrointestinal Complications Due to "Superglue" Ingestion in a Pediatric Patient

ABSTRACT

Childhood cases of cyanoacrylates generally do not cause moderate or severe gastrointestinal complications. We report the case of a 3-year-old boy referred to our pediatric emergency room and admitted to the pediatric department with signs of upper gastrointestinal obstruction that required invasive intervention. Although it is rare, cyanoacrylate ingestion may injure esophageal and gastric mucosa in the pediatric population.

The use of decorative braces in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE

To assess the practice of using orthodontic brackets as tooth decorations among dental offices and patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was a cross-sectional survey using 2 questionnaires. The first included 14 doctor questions where 300 dental offices in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were contacted by phone. The second questionnaire included 22 patient questions where 50 patients who currently have or have had decorative braces answered the questions online.

RESULTS

Out of 250 dental offices that responded, 91 offices (36.4%) answered "yes" to offering decorative braces. Most dentists use metal brackets (96.3%) on both the upper and lower arches (98.8%) and ligate a wire (83.8%) using colored elastomeric ligatures. Out of 50 patients who answered the patient questions, 28 patients (56%) were females and the mean age was 19.84 years (±2.32). 37 (74%) patients reported that their decorative braces were not placed by dentists and mostly by over the counter glue. Finally, 62% reported they were not satisfied, and 84% said they would not recommend getting decorative braces to their family and friends.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the use of decorative braces is prevalent, and most are not being placed by dentist. As healthcare providers, we are obliged to educate the public of potential harm that can result when decorative braces are used, to hopefully limit the spread of this unfortunate practice.

Deliberate self-harming application of superglue in the nose: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Accidental and non-accidental applications of superglue in the ear, nose and oral cavity have been reported previously. Surgical removal of glue from the nose is the current practice.

CASE REPORT

This paper reports the case of an 18-year-old female, who presented with complete bilateral nasal occlusion due to deliberate self-application of superglue in both nostrils to avoid nasogastric tube insertion.

RESULTS

Removal of glue was accomplished with a combination of local anaesthetic cream and acetone-soaked cotton buds, which caused only minimal discomfort to the patient. All traces of glue disappeared within 10 days, without causing damage to the nasal mucosa, nasal blockage or pain.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of deliberate self-application of superglue in the nose. A successful non-surgical management option for the removal of glue from the nose is introduced.

Superglue injuries of the eye

AIM

To report various ocular lesions caused by accidental instillation of superglue.

METHODS

Three cases of ocular injuries are described in children aged 6 years, 3 years and 8 months, following accidental instillation of superglue in the eye.

RESULTS

In the first case there was sticking of eyelashes in the medial 1/3 of eyelids in both eyes. In the second case sticking of eye lashes was present in the lateral 1/3 of eyelids in the left eye. In the third case, superglue was present on the right cheek, above the right ear and sticking of eyelids in medial 1/3 in right eye. The eyelids were separated by pulling the lid margins with fingers in the first case and later on superglue was removed by trimming the eyelashes; and by direct trimming the eyelashes in second and third cases. There was no injury to other structures of anterior segment in the first two cases. However, removal of the superglue on the cornea resulted in corneal abrasion in the third case which healed with medical treatment and patching of the right eye.

CONCLUSION

Accidental instillation of superglue is possible because of the appearance of the tube like eye ointment tube. Immediate medical aid will prevent ocular morbidity.

Cyanoacrylate ("superglue") injury to the nasal cavity: case report and a proposed management algorithm

We report the case of a deliberate application of cyanoacrylate adhesive (commonly called "superglue") to the nose of a 9-year-old boy during a fight. The glue was successfully removed under general anesthesia without causing trauma to the nasal mucosa. To the best of our knowledge, only 1 other case of cyanoacrylate injury to the nasal cavity has been published in the literature. We also provide an algorithm to guide clinicians in the future management of this unusual circumstance.