Surgical and Medical Tape - 3M, Mepitac, Primafix
Surgical and medical tape for dressing retention, IV site fixation, tube securement and general clinical use - 3M Transpore (transparent plastic), 3M Micropore (hypoallergenic paper), 3M Durapore (silk cloth), Molnlycke Mepitac (silicone), Smith & Nephew Primafix (large-format retention) and additional manufacturers. Available in widths from 1/2 inch through 6 inch, lengths from 2 to 10 yards, in standard and bulk case formats. Wholesale case pricing for hospitals, surgery centers, long-term care and clinical procurement.
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Surgical and Medical Tape for Clinical Fixation
Surgical and medical tape is the workhorse fixation product across every clinical workflow - dressing retention, IV catheter securement, tubing and line fixation, tracheostomy and endotracheal tube securement, post-procedural taping and general adhesive needs. The catalog covers the full range of tape backing materials (transparent plastic, hypoallergenic paper, silk cloth, silicone) and the full size range from narrow 1/2 inch trims through 6 inch wide retention tape. Brands include 3M (now Solventum), Molnlycke, Smith & Nephew, Hartmann USA, Medline and additional manufacturers.
Tape Backing Materials and Use Cases
- Transparent plastic tape (Transpore) - 3M Transpore is a porous transparent plastic tape that tears by hand without scissors, allows wound visualization through the tape and offers strong adhesion. Used for IV site fixation, transparent dressing retention and applications where wound visualization through the tape matters. Stocked in 1/2 inch, 1 inch, 2 inch and 3 inch widths.
- Hypoallergenic paper tape (Micropore) - 3M Micropore is a gentle paper tape designed for use on fragile, sensitive or compromised skin. The hypoallergenic adhesive minimizes skin reaction in elderly patients, neonates, dermatology patients on long-term steroid therapy and patients with documented adhesive sensitivity. The most widely stocked tape backing in long-term care and dermatology settings. Available in 1/2 inch, 1 inch, 2 inch and 3 inch widths.
- Silk cloth tape (Durapore) - 3M Durapore is a high-strength silk cloth tape with strong adhesion and tear-by-hand capability. Used for heavy dressing retention, splint and bandage fixation, tubing securement under tension and applications requiring strong adhesion. Available in 1/2 inch, 1 inch, 2 inch and 3 inch widths.
- Silicone tape (Mepitac) - Molnlycke Mepitac is a silicone-adhesive tape using Safetac technology for atraumatic application and removal on fragile periwound skin. Used in elderly populations, dermatology, neonatal care and any application where adhesive trauma to fragile skin is a concern. Available in 3/4 inch x 118 inch single rolls and case packs.
- Large-format retention tape (Primafix) - Smith & Nephew Primafix Plus is a wide-format dressing retention tape in 2 inch, 4 inch and 6 inch widths and 2 yard or 10 yard lengths. Used for retention of large dressings over abdominal wounds, chest dressings, pressure injuries and post-surgical drains.
- Self-adhesive cohesive tape - Cohesive tape that sticks to itself but not to skin or hair, used for compression bandage securement, lower-extremity edema management and applications requiring no adhesive contact with skin. Available in 12 inch x 10.9 yard formats.
Tape Selection by Backing Type
| Tape | Backing | Adhesion | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3M Transpore | Transparent plastic, porous | Strong | IV site fixation, dressing retention with wound visualization |
| 3M Micropore | Hypoallergenic paper | Gentle | Fragile or sensitive skin, elderly patients, neonates |
| 3M Durapore | Silk cloth | Strong | Heavy dressing retention, splint fixation, tubing securement |
| Molnlycke Mepitac | Silicone (Safetac) | Gentle, atraumatic | Fragile periwound skin, elderly, neonatal applications |
| Smith & Nephew Primafix Plus | Large-format non-woven | Strong | Large dressing retention (abdominal, chest, sacral) |
| Self-adhesive cohesive | Cohesive (no skin adhesion) | Self-bonding only | Compression fixation, no-skin-adhesive applications |
Subcategories in This Section
Surgical and medical tape is consolidated as a single tape catalog with the major backing types stocked together. Browse Surgical Tape for the full assortment across 3M, Molnlycke, Smith & Nephew and additional manufacturers.
Surgical and medical tape moves at high consistent volume across every clinical environment - one of the highest-velocity SKU groups in any healthcare procurement program. The Micropore, Transpore and Durapore line from 3M represents the bulk of institutional volume, supplemented by Mepitac for atraumatic application and Primafix for large-format retention. Order at the best Wholesale Prices with MAP Medical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of surgical tape and how do they differ?
The four primary tape types are transparent plastic (3M Transpore - porous, strong, allows wound visualization), hypoallergenic paper (3M Micropore - gentle adhesive for fragile skin), silk cloth (3M Durapore - high-strength for heavy retention) and silicone (Molnlycke Mepitac - atraumatic for fragile periwound skin). Each has a specific use profile: Transpore for IV sites and dressing visualization, Micropore for fragile or elderly skin, Durapore for heavy dressing retention and tubing securement, Mepitac for atraumatic application on damaged or fragile skin.
What is the difference between Micropore and standard paper tape?
3M Micropore is a hypoallergenic paper tape with a gentle adhesive specifically designed for fragile, sensitive or compromised skin. The adhesive minimizes skin reaction in elderly patients, neonates and patients with adhesive sensitivity. Standard paper tape from other manufacturers may use stronger adhesives that work for general use but are less suitable for repeated application on the same skin site or on fragile patient populations. Micropore is the institutional standard for long-term care, geriatrics, neonatology and dermatology.
When should Mepitac silicone tape be used instead of standard medical tape?
Mepitac silicone tape uses Safetac silicone adhesive that adheres gently to dry intact skin without sticking aggressively, allowing atraumatic removal without damaging fragile skin. It is the appropriate choice for patients with fragile elderly skin, steroid-thinned skin, neonates, dermatology patients with compromised skin integrity and any application where standard tape adhesive would damage the underlying skin on removal. The cost per inch is higher than Micropore paper tape, so use is typically targeted to patients where atraumatic application is clinically required.
Can hospitals and surgery centers order surgical tape by the case?
Yes. 3M Transpore, Micropore and Durapore are stocked in case quantities (typically 120 to 240 rolls per case depending on width) for hospitals, surgery centers, ambulatory surgery centers, long-term care facilities and licensed distributors. Mepitac silicone tape is stocked in 12 per case packs. Primafix Plus retention tape is stocked in 12 to 36 per case formats. Standing order programs are routine for institutional tape consumption. Contact our procurement team for case pricing and consolidated tape formulary quotes.
What surgical tape should be included in a hospital tape formulary?
A complete hospital tape formulary covers four backing types in standard widths. 3M Transpore in 1 inch and 2 inch for IV site fixation and transparent dressing retention. 3M Micropore in 1 inch, 2 inch and 3 inch for fragile skin and general gentle application. 3M Durapore in 1 inch and 2 inch for heavy dressing retention and tubing securement. Mepitac silicone tape (3/4 inch) for atraumatic application on fragile periwound skin. Primafix Plus in 4 inch and 6 inch widths for large dressing retention. Contact our team to build a tape formulary matched to facility case mix.