The link between the peel force of adhesive dressings and subjective discomfort in volunteer subjects.

OBJECTIVE

The study compared the level of discomfort experienced by healthy volunteers on the removal of a range of adhesive wounds.

METHOD

This was an open, within subject comparative study of six adhesive dressings in 24 volunteers. The test site was the lower back. Allocation of test materials to the test sites was randomised. The peel force of removal was recorded after 24 hours of application using a device that removed the dressing at a constant speed and angle to the skin surface. The discomfort experienced at each removal was assessed by the subjects themselves using an electronic visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Overall, Mepilex Border was given a significantly lower discomfort score (p < or = 0.01) by the subjects than the other dressings. There were no clear differences between the five other products tested. Tielle and Allevyn Adhesive had significantly higher (p < or = 0.05) peel force than the other products. Mepilex Border caused less discomfort on removal than Duoderm Extra Thin, Biatain and Versiva, even though the peel force was similar. Tielle and Allevyn had higher peel force, but the levels of discomfort were not significantly higher for these products.

CONCLUSION

It may be that the level of discomfort experienced by subjects on removal of an adhesive dressing is not entirely dependent on the peel force and that other aspects of the interaction of the skin surface and adhesive play a role.