Unusual Skin tear caused by eye taping using acrylic-based adhesive tape in a adult patient with recurrent craniopharyngioma

Abstract

Skin tears due to medical adhesives are a ubiquitous but under documented complication that occurs in in almost all clinical settings and frequently in patients with certain risk factors. Due to lack of information regarding proper usage, suitable selection and the right technique for application of adhesive products can influence patient safety besides hampering the quality of life. Medical adhesives-related skin injuries (MARSI) is the latest term used, defined ‘an occurrence in which erythema and/or other manifestations of cutaneous abnormality (including, but not limited to, vesicle, bulla, erosion or tear) persists 30 min or more after removal of the adhesive’ [1]. We describe a report of skin tear due to acrylic based adhesive in a young male who underwent craniotomy and tumor excision. A 21 year-old male with a diagnosis of a recurrent craniopharyngioma was posted for a Pterional craniotomy and excision of the tumour. The patient had secondary hypothyroidism and secondary hypocortisolism on thyroid and steroid replacement respectively. He was shifted to the OT and after attaching all the standard ASA monitors, he was induced after adequate preoxygenation, with Fentanyl, Propofol and Vecuronium and intubated with a 8.5mm sized ET tube. A central venous catheter was inserted post induction in the right subclavian vein and was fixed with an adhesive tape. Before positioning the patient, scalp block with 15 ml of 0.5 % bupivacaine was administered. The eyelids were then taped with acrylic-based adhesive tape. The duration of the surgery was approximately 11 hours. In view of the prolonged nature of the surgery, the decision was made to not extubate the patient in the OT and to shift him to the Intensive Care Unit for further management and elective ventilation. Before the patient was shifted out of the OT, the adhesive tapes over his eyes were removed. While the left eye and periorbital region were found completely normal, the right periorbital region was mildl