Incidence and Characteristics of Medical Adhesive‐Related Skin Injuries in Patients Following Spinal Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study

ABSTRACT

This single-center prospective observational study aimed to compare the incidence, types, and characteristics of medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSI) in spinal surgery patients based on the type of dressing used. All adult patients who were scheduled for spinal surgery within a one-year period in a single institution were included. A structured case report form was created to collect data; a single assessor evaluated MARSI for eligible patients. Group differences were analysed with an independent t-test or Mann–Whitney U test, and survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan–Meier analysis, the log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Within 10 days of surgery, 45% of 140 study participants developed MARSI, with contact dermatitis being the most common type (41.4%). The acrylate-dressing group had a higher cumulative incidence (56.8%) than the silicone group (31.8%) (p = 0.003) as well as a shorter time to the first MARSI (p < 0.001), longer MARSI duration (p < 0.001), and a 2.55-time higher risk of MARSI (p < 0.001). In summary, the use of post-operative dressings with silicone adhesives post-spinal surgery was associated with a lower incidence, longer time to the occurrence, shorter duration, and lower risk of MARSI compared to the use of acrylate dressings.