Comparison of Medical Adhesive Tapes in Patients at Risk of Facial Skin Trauma under Anesthesia

Abstract

Introduction. Adhesive tapes are used for taping eyelids closed and securing endotracheal tubes during general anesthesia. These tapes can cause facial skin injury. We compared the incidence of facial skin injury and patient satisfaction with different tapes used. Methods. A total of 60 adult patients at risk of skin trauma were randomized to use 3M™ Kind Removal Silicone Tape or standard acrylate tapes: 3M Durapore (endotracheal tube) and Medipore (eyelids). Patients were blinded to tape used. Postoperatively, a blinded recovery nurse assessed erythema, edema, and denudation of skin. Anesthesiologist in charge also assessed skin injury. On postoperative day 1, patients rated satisfaction with the condition of their skin over the eyelids and face on a 5-point Likert scale. Results. More patients had denudation of skin with standard tapes, 4 (13.3%) versus 0 with silicone tape (p = 0.026) and in anesthesiologist-evaluated skin injury 11 (37%) with standard versus 1 (3%) with silicone (p = 0.002). No significant differences were found in erythema and edema. Patient satisfaction score was higher with silicone tape: over eyelids: mean 3.83 (standard) versus 4.53 (silicone), Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.001; over face: mean 3.87 (standard) versus 4.57 (silicone) (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Silicone tape use had less skin injury and greater patient satisfaction than standard acrylate tapes.

Overlooked and underestimated: medical adhesive-related skin injuries

“…■ Close the eyes and prevent corneal abrasions. 44 Skin on the face, particularly the eyelids, is thin and delicate, making it susceptible to medical adhesive-related skin injury. The Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) therefore recommends that the use of tape, other than to secure eye pads, should be avoided 45 ■ Fix devices such as endotracheal tubes, temperature probes, gastric tubes and electrodes Surgical adhesive tapes often contain acrylate, the adhesiveness of which increases over time.…”

Factors associated with skin and mucosal lesions caused by medical devices in newborns: Observational study

“…When evaluating the adhesives used in the intraoperative period, another study concluded that the silicone adhesive caused less facial skin lesions when compared to the standard acrylate adhesive, generating greater comfort to the patient. These findings highlight the importance of knowing the properties of the materials to select the most suitable products for care, aiming to promote patient safety and comfort (Zeng, Lie, & Chong, ).…”

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“…They found that the use of silicone adhesive material resulted with a greater patient satisfaction and lesser skin injury. Thus, silicone rather than acrylate seems to be a safer option for the occlusion of eyelids during anesthesia [6].…”