Objective: To observe the effect of octyl-a-cyanoacrylate upon bone healing and its degradation in vitro after middle tibial transverse fracture in rabbits, and to establish treatment of higher efficacy with the application of octyl-a-cyanoacrylate.Methods: Middle tibial transverse fracture model of New Zealand rabbits was established. In the experimental group, intal fixation with 2 mm Kirschner wires was performed and the broken ends were fixed with octyl-a-cyanoacrylate. In the control group, only intal fixation with 2 mm Kirschner wires was conducted. Animals were killed at preset time intervals of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks postoperatively and samples were harvested.Results: Two weeks after operation, clear fracture lines were observed in both the experimental and the control groups. Fibrous soft tissue connection was noted between the broken ends and there was soft tissue adhesion around the fracture site. There was no callus formation and the broken ends were surrounded by adhesive soft tissues. Obvious extal callus formation was confirmed at 8 weeks after operation in both groups with partial disappearance of fracture lines. Ten and twelve weeks after the operation, fracture lines disappeared completely and there was obvious extal callus formation and bone union. In the fourth week, fibrous cells and chondrocytes were found to grow into the colloid and surround it at the 6th week. The adhesive material was degraded and gradually absorbed at the 8th week. Chondrification was observed.Conclusions: Two weeks after fixation for tibial fracture in rabbits, octyl-a-cyanoacrylate begins in vivo degradation. Chondrocytes and fibrocytes gradually grow into the degradation area and surround the adhesive material, which broke into pieces at 8 weeks. Complete degradation and disappearance of the adhesive material is present between 10 and12 weeks. No barrier effect hampering fracture healing is noted.