The in vivo metabolic degradation of poly (methyl cyanoacrylate) via thiocyanate

Methyl α-cyanoacrylate, when implanted subcutaneously in rats and dogs, has been shown to lead to an increase in thiocyanate output in the urine, presumably through the formation of cyanide anions which are subsequently converted to thiocyanate. It is postulated that this reaction may be one of the reactions contributing to tissue necrosis when methyl α-cyanoacrylate is used as a tissue adhesive.