Abstract
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the incidence, types, and factors associated with medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSIs) among spinal surgery patients. Adult patients who underwent planned spinal surgery under general anesthesia at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea were enrolled. Data were collected from March through April 2019. Skins under surgical wound dressings were evaluated for MARSI once every morning until discharge. Skin injuries lasting for 30 min or more were considered as MARSIs. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with MARSI. The incidence of MARSIs in surgical areas was 36.4% and the rate per 100 medical adhesives was 9.8%. All MARSIs occurred on postoperative day 1 or 2. A history of contact dermatitis (OR = 10.517, 95% CI = 3.540–31.241, p < 0.001) and late ambulation (OR = 1.053, 95% CI = 1.012–1.095, p = 0.010) were identified as risk factors for MARSI. Spinal surgery patients were at high risk of MARSIs associated with surgical wound dressings. Patients with a history of contact dermatitis or prolonged bed rest periods need more active skin assessment and more careful skin care to prevent MARSIs after spinal surgery.
Highlights
Medical adhesives are required for surgical site dressings and to facilitate the fixation of intravenous injections, central lines, and various catheters and monitors during surgery
Peeling off adhesive dressings removes loosely bound epidermal cells and stratum corneum, thereby compromising the skin barrier and increasing transepidermal water loss, which results in skin breakdown and medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSIs) [1]
MARSIs include mechanical skin injury caused by epidermal skin stripping resulting in skin tears, tension injuries, blisters, irritant contact, allergic dermatitis, folliculitis, and moisture-associated skin damage [4]
Summary
Medical adhesives are required for surgical site dressings and to facilitate the fixation of intravenous injections, central lines, and various catheters and monitors during surgery. Peeling off adhesive dressings removes loosely bound epidermal cells and stratum corneum, thereby compromising the skin barrier and increasing transepidermal water loss, which results in skin breakdown and medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSIs) [1]. MARSIs include mechanical skin injury caused by epidermal skin stripping resulting in skin tears, tension injuries, blisters, irritant contact, allergic dermatitis, folliculitis, and moisture-associated skin damage [4]. MARSI is a complication that affects patients of all ages [2], the elderly represent a vulnerable population due to changes in the structural and functional properties of the skin as well as its neurosensory perception, permeability, response to damage, repair capacity, and increases in the incidence of some skin diseases [5].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
