Analysis of pressure achieved by various materials used for pressure dressings.
BACKGROUND
To minimize the risk of complications, pressure dressings are frequently applied to wounds. The actual pressures yielded by different dressing materials and application techniques have not been documented.


OBJECTIVE
To measure and compare pressures produced using various types of dressing tapes with and without a gauze roll.


METHODS
An infant blood pressure cuff was adapted for use in a pressure dressing model. Investigators independently applied four strips of each of five different types of tape to the cuff when it was located in three settings: a hard inanimate surface, a subject's distal volar forearm, and the subject's forehead.


RESULTS
Foam and plastic tapes produced more pressure under a simple dressing than three other commonly used tapes. Higher, more consistent pressures were achieved on the forearm than the forehead. Adding a gauze roll to the dressing consistently increased the pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
The experimental model demonstrated substantial differences in pressures yielded by various pressure dressing materials.
Smith
S L
SL
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA.
Belmont
J M
JM
Casparian
J M
JM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001458:Bandages / Q000592:standards*; D005542:Forearm; D005546:Forehead; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011312:Pressure