Can I apply steri (sterile strips) on top of dried wound glue?

Applying Steri-Strips Over Dried Wound Glue

Yes, you can safely apply steri-strips on top of dried wound glue as there is no evidence of adverse effects, though there is limited evidence of additional benefit beyond what the wound glue already provides. 1

Compatibility of Steri-Strips with Wound Glue

• Wound glue (tissue adhesive) provides effective wound closure on its own, with comparable outcomes to other closure methods for infection rates, patient satisfaction, and cosmetic appearance 1
• There is no evidence in the guidelines suggesting that applying steri-strips over dried wound glue causes harm or reduces effectiveness of either closure method 2
• The World Journal of Emergency Surgery notes that tissue adhesives may be quicker to apply than sutures, making them convenient for certain wound types 2

Effectiveness Considerations

• Sutures are significantly better than tissue adhesives alone for reducing wound breakdown risk (RR 3.35; 95% CI 1.53-7.33), suggesting that additional support from steri-strips might be beneficial in high-risk wounds 2
• Steri-strips provide gentle approximation for wounds and can be particularly useful for wounds that need careful alignment to minimize scarring 3
• In a study comparing closure methods, skin glue proved superior to steri-strips but inferior to stapled closure for tensile strength 4

Application Recommendations

• If applying steri-strips over dried wound glue:
  • Ensure the wound glue is completely dry before applying steri-strips 5
  • Apply steri-strips perpendicular to the wound edge to provide additional support 5
  • Avoid excessive tension when applying the strips as this could disrupt the glue-skin interface 4

Duration of Application

• For facial wounds, both wound glue and steri-strips should generally remain in place for 5-7 days due to the excellent blood supply and rapid healing in this area 3, 5
• For non-facial wounds, duration depends on location and tension of the wound area 5
• High-tension areas may require longer healing time (up to 14 days) before removal of closure materials 5

Wound Care During Healing

• Keep the wound clean and dry for the first 24-48 hours after application 1
• Monitor for signs of infection such as increasing pain, redness, swelling, or discharge 1
• Pain disproportionate to the injury may suggest deeper complications requiring medical attention 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Removing steri-strips too early (before 5 days) may result in wound dehiscence due to inadequate tensile strength 5
• Leaving steri-strips in place too long, especially on the face, may increase the risk of skin irritation or adhesive-related dermatitis 5
• Be aware that the glue-skin interface is the typical point of failure for wound glue, so applying steri-strips with excessive tension could potentially disrupt this interface 4