ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness between histoacryl topical skin adhesive and traditional method for wound closure in total hip arthroplasty (THA). MethodsA total of 159 patients undergoing THA were divided into 2 groups between January and October in 2015. Subcuticular suture and histoacryl topical skin adhesive (cyanoacrylate adhesive) were used in 80 patients (100 hips) (test group), and traditional method (skin staples and wound drainage) was used in 79 patients (100 hips) (control group) for wound closure. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in gender, age, body mass index, and etiology between 2 groups. The operation time, length of stay, incision pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score and healing of incision, and incision satisfaction evaluation, and classification were compared between 2 groups. ResultsAll patients were followed up 3-6 months (mean. 4.7 months). There was no significant difference in operation time between 2 groups (Z=-0.527, P=0.598); but the length of stay of test group was less than that of control group (Z=-2.004, P=0.045). Incision exudation and dehiscence occurred in 1 case (1 hip) and 1 case (1 hip) of test group respectively; incision swollen, persistent wound exudation, exudation, and sutured drainage tube occurred in 2 cases (2 hips), 2 cases (2 hips), 4 cases (4 hips), and 1 case (1 hip) of control group. No statistically significant difference was found in VAS score between 2 groups at 15 days after operation (Z=-0.125, P=0.901), but wound healing score of test group was significantly higher than that of control group (Z=-2.943, P=0.003). Wound healing was class A in 98 hips and class B in 2 hips in test group, and was class A in 92 hips and class B in 8 hips in control group, and difference was statistically significant (χ2=3.789, P=0.048). The incision satisfaction of test group was significantly higher than that of control group (Z=-2.626, P=0.009). ConclusionCompared with traditional method, histoacryl topical skin adhesive has decreased wound complication rate, and it is an easy and safe method with high satisfaction.