3M MicrofoamTM Surgical Tape Prevents Nasal Pressure Injury Associated with Nasotracheal Intubation. A Randomized Double-Blind Trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND ː 3M Microfoam™ Surgical Tape (3ST: 3M Japan Limited) is a surgical tape used for pressure wound control of medical equipment and has characteristics of being cushioned and fitting to any body part. Herein, we investigated whether 3ST prevents nasotracheal intubation (NTI)-associated nasal pressure injury. METHODS ː We conducted a prospective, randomized double-blind study, enrolling 63 patients aged 20–70 years, who were subjected to general anesthesia with NTI and divided into two groups; those treated with 3ST (group S; n = 31) and control (group C; n = 31). After NTI and before securing the nasotracheal tube a 35 × 25 mm 3ST was used to protect the nasal wing in group S, and the nasotracheal tube was fixed in place after NTI without protection in group C. The primary outcome was the presence or absence of nasal pressure injury after extubation. Chi-Square test was used to assess the association between the two categorical variables. RESULTS ː Nasal pressure injury was observed in 7 and 19 patients from groups S and C, respectively, representing a significant difference between the two groups (24.1% vs. 67.8%, P = 0.001). None of the patients developed ulcers. CONCLUSIONS ː 3ST prevents NTI-associated nasal pressure injury.