Adhesive strips

[pa4ortho]

dave: sounds like you are describing the very popular 3M medipore tape. patent # 5,496,605

expensive but very few alergic reactions, stays put but does not irritate skin.

Dave I am not looking at the wound so its hard to judge but tegaderm is a very different product but is a favorite of mine as it alows the wound to be sealed from the environment and alows gentle showers. usually can be found on ebay for cheap.

Options: if doing frequent dressing changes or long term dressing changes consider laying down a base strip of 2 inch wide tape in paralel rows on oposite sides of the incision. next make tabs by taking a strip and stick one edge to the center of a base strip and fold it lengthwise and stick the other edge down. should form an upside down t shape in cross section. sorry hard to describe. next repeat on the other base strip. Next place some safety pins in each of the tabs along the length of the wound. after dressing the wound instead of taping the dressing in place simple lace the gauze in place by looping rubber bands over the safety pins. this way you conserve tape and avoid irritating the skin by constant tape removal and replacement.

questions: size of wound, color of base of wound, any drainage?, is this a post radiation burn?, is surrounding skin intact?, is the location dificult to manage because of contour of arm pit or fold of breast?,

pa4ortho