Surgical tape

Last updated
Albupore surgical tape, similar to Micropore Albupore surgical tape.jpg
Albupore surgical tape, similar to Micropore

Surgical tape or medical tape is a type of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape [1] used in medicine and first aid to hold a bandage or other dressing onto a wound. These tapes usually have a hypoallergenic adhesive which is designed to hold firmly onto skin, dressing materials, and underlying layers of tape, but to remove easily without damaging the skin. [2] They allow air to reach the skin ("breathable"). Some breathable tapes such as kinesiology tape, and other elastic bandages with adhesive are made of cotton. Surgical tape is often white because it contains zinc oxide, which is added to help prevent infections. Tapes made of porous material, such as 3M Micropore, are widely used.

Contents

History

Primitive surgical tape, or sparadrapum probably consisted of strips of cloth impregnated with some type of plaster or sticky gum, which was applied over gauzes or wound dressings to hold them in place. Plaster casts over fractures were sometimes called "Spanish dressings"

In the Middle Ages an Italian a description appears in the thirteenth century, where surgical tape was recorded as sparadrappo, although there were some variations of spelling. In French it first appears in 1314 as speradrapu , and in Spanish it was documented as espadrapo around 1495.

Linguistically it is possible that in European Romance languages: [3]

Types of surgical tape

Adhesive surgical paper tape Adhesive surgical paper tape.jpg
Adhesive surgical paper tape

There are many types of surgical tape classified according to the material of which the tape itself is constituted and the qualities of the applied adhesive, which should be hypoallergenic.

The most common types are either fragile tape (such as paper, which tears easily) or tear-resistant (often fabric or plastic) and some of these may also be either waterproof or breathable or both water-resistant and partly-porous, allowing some limited passage of air and moisture. A bandage should have appropriate adhesive power and be breathable and at the same time impermeable, easy to remove without irritating the skin and resistant to extreme temperatures, aging and solar radiation. Surgical tapes for medical use are subject to the requirements contained in internationally recognized standards such as the ASTM International ASTM PSTC / 6 standard. [4]

Features

Some features of surgical tape dressings include:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duct tape</span> Type of adhesive tape

Duct tape is cloth- or scrim-backed pressure-sensitive tape, often coated with polyethylene. There are a variety of constructions using different backings and adhesives, and the term "duct tape" has been genericized to refer to different cloth tapes with differing purposes. A variation is heat-resistant foil tape useful for sealing heating and cooling ducts, produced because the adhesive on standard duct tape fails and the synthetic fabric reinforcement mesh deteriorates when used on heating ducts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First aid kit</span> Collection of supplies and equipment that is used to give medical treatment

A first aid kit or medical kit is a collection of supplies and equipment used to give immediate medical treatment, primarily to treat injuries and other mild or moderate medical conditions. There is a wide variation in the contents of first aid kits based on the knowledge and experience of those putting it together, the differing first aid requirements of the area where it may be used, and variations in legislation or regulation in a given area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bandage</span> Material used to support a medical dressing or injured body part

A bandage is a piece of material used either to support a medical device such as a dressing or splint, or on its own to provide support for the movement of a part of the body. When used with a dressing, the dressing is applied directly on a wound, and a bandage is used to hold the dressing in place. Other bandages are used without dressings, such as elastic bandages that are used to reduce swelling or provide support to a sprained ankle. Tight bandages can be used to slow blood flow to an extremity, such as when a leg or arm is bleeding heavily.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collodion</span> Flammable, syrupy solution of nitrocellulose in ether and alcohol

Collodion is a flammable, syrupy solution of nitrocellulose in ether and alcohol. There are two basic types: flexible and non-flexible. The flexible type is often used as a surgical dressing or to hold dressings in place. When painted on the skin, collodion dries to form a flexible nitrocellulose film. While it is initially colorless, it discolors over time. Non-flexible collodion is often used in theatrical make-up. Collodion was also the basis of most wet-plate photography until it was superseded by modern gelatin emulsions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adhesive bandage</span> Small self-adhesive medical dressing

An adhesive bandage, also called a sticking plaster, medical plaster, or simply plaster in British English, is a small medical dressing used for injuries not serious enough to require a full-size bandage. They are also known by the genericized trademarks of Band-Aid or Elastoplast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orthopedic cast</span> Medical aid for the treatment of bone fractures

An orthopedic cast, or simply cast, is a shell, frequently made from plaster or fiberglass, that encases a limb to stabilize and hold anatomical structures—most often a broken bone, in place until healing is confirmed. It is similar in function to a splint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Label</span> Material affixed to a container or article with printed information

A label is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product, on which is written or printed information or symbols about the product or item. Information printed directly on a container or article can also be considered labelling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electrical tape</span> Adhesive electrical insulation

Electrical tape is a type of pressure-sensitive tape used to insulate electrical wires and other materials that conduct electricity. It can be made of many plastics but PVC is the most popular, as it stretches well and gives effective and long-lasting insulation. Electrical tape for class H insulation is made of fiberglass cloth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterproofing</span> Process of making an object or structure waterproof or water-resistant

Waterproofing is the process of making an object, person or structure waterproof or water-resistant so that it remains relatively unaffected by water or resisting the ingress of water under specified conditions. Such items may be used in wet environments or underwater to specified depths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dressing (medicine)</span> Sterile pad or compress applied to wounds

A dressing or compress is piece of material such as a pad applied to a wound to promote healing and protect the wound from further harm. A dressing is designed to be in direct contact with the wound, as distinguished from a bandage, which is most often used to hold a dressing in place. Modern dressings are sterile.

A hydrocolloid dressing is an opaque or transparent dressing for wounds. A hydrocolloid dressing is biodegradable, breathable, and depending on the dressing selected, may adhere to the skin, so no separate taping is needed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liquid bandage</span>

Liquid bandage is a topical skin treatment for minor wounds which binds to the skin to form a protective polymeric layer that keeps dirt and germs out and moisture in. It can be directly applied to the wound after removing debris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adhesive tape</span> Strip of material backed with adhesive

Adhesive tape is one of many varieties of backing materials coated with an adhesive. Several types of adhesives can be used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bituminous waterproofing</span> Roll roofing and waterproofing material

Bituminous waterproofing systems are designed to protect residential and commercial buildings. Bitumen is a material made up of organic liquids that are highly sticky, viscous, and waterproof. Systems incorporating bituminous-based substrates are sometimes used to construct roofs, in the form of "roofing felt" or "roll roofing" products.

Tape or Tapes may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wound closure strip</span> Porous surgical tape used for closing small wounds

Wound closure strips are porous surgical tape strips which can be used to close small wounds. They are applied across the laceration in a manner which pulls the skin on either side of the wound together. Wound closure strips may be used instead of sutures (stitches) in some injuries, because they lessen scarring and are easier to care for.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shikkui</span> Plastering material

Shikkui (漆喰) is an ecological nontoxic Japanese lime plaster primarily made out of hydrated lime and calcium carbonate coming from reprocessed eggshells. It is mainly used for surface coatings of walls and ceilings in housing construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Athletic taping</span>

Athletic taping is the process of applying tape directly to the skin or over pre-wrap in order to maintain a stable position of bones and muscles during athletic activity. It is a procedure that uses athletic tape, attached to the skin, to physically hold muscles or bones at a certain position. This reduces pain and aids recovery. Taping is usually used to help recover from overuse and other injuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pressure-sensitive tape</span> Type of adhesive

Pressure-sensitive tape or pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is an adhesive tape that will stick with application of pressure, without the need for a solvent or heat for activation. It is known also in various countries as self-stick tape, sticky tape, or just adhesive tape and tape, as well as genericized trademarks, such as Sellotape, Durex (tape), Scotch tape, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medical textiles</span> Textiles for medical and healthcare use

Medical textiles are numerous fiber-based materials intended for medical purposes. Medical textile is a sector of technical textiles that emphasizes fiber-based products used in health care applications such as prevention, care, and hygiene.

References

  1. Farrar, David, ed. (2011). Advanced wound repair therapies. Woodhead Publishing. p. 254. ISBN   978-0857093301.
  2. Rutherford, Colleen (2009). Differentiating Surgical Equipment and Supplies. FA Davis. p. 63. ISBN   978-0803624122.
  3. Etimología de Chile: ESPARADRAPO
  4. ASTM STANDARDS ON Pressure Sensitive Adhesive tape

Further reading