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Ischemic complications of tubular gauze dressings
M B Giandoni1, R P Vinson, W J Grabski
1Dermatology Service, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA.
Background:
Ischemic pressure complications associated with tubular gauze digital dressings have been occasionally reported in the medical literature. Previous authors have implicated specific mechanisms. We report a 10th case of this type of complication and hypothesize that a "Chinese finger trap" mechanism was responsible.
Objective:
To compare pressures generated using different application techniques of tubular gauze digital dressings.
Methods:
A simple device to measure dressing pressure was constructed. Comparative pressure measurements using different application techniques were obtained.
Results:
Too many layers, excess longitudinal traction during application, using more than a 90 degrees twist during application, and rolled proximal dressing edges all increased measured pressures significantly.
Conclusions:
Physicians and other health care providers involved in the application of these dressings should be aware of their correct application and the mechanisms that may produce complications.