Strips or sutures?

[Bonnox]

Medical surgical glue is adapted from superglue, it was used by the American GIs during the Vietnam war as they found small wounds got easily infected, leading to sepsis and potentially death, simply using glue closes the wound and also puts a synthetic 'scab' over it aiding in the healing process. Using glue you must get the opposing edges together first then apply the glue over the top, NEVER put glue into a wound then close it, this can lead to horrible after effects as you are stopping the wound underneath healing so the skin heals and you can end up with nasty fungigating access under the skin.
My advice is have all 3, the general rule of thumb I use is:
1. Steroids trips are fine to close simple wounds on flat skin which isn't going to be under much tension, such as foreheads, they will not last on joints and will simply come off.
2. Glue can be used on all wound but is water soluble, so isn't that good on hands if you intend to wash every now and again, once open the tube is done with and will set within 24 hours most medical supplies can't be resealed.
3. Sutures are best for using over joints as they will last the longest and give the strongest closure, but bear in mind there are two types of sutures dissolvable and removable or vicryl and ethilon.

But don't for get there is no reason you can use sterns trips and glue to give very good healing.

My evidence, 12 years as an ED nurse and 6 as an emergency nurse practitioner
And not to blow my own trumpet but I am quite happy to help out with advice if anyone can suggest anything I would be happy to write a bit about things or suggest reading material etc