How to Make Montgomery Straps

Montgomery straps are used to hold bandages for abdominal wounds in place. The straps make it easier on the patient by allowing you to untie the straps and inspect the wound or change the gauze as needed and then retie the strap in place. When you do not use the straps, you have to remove the tape from the skin every time, causing skin irritation. Premade Montgomery straps are preferred, but with little more than tape, you can make your own Montgomery straps in a pinch.

Things You'll Need

• 6 pieces hypoallergenic tape
• Scissors
• Gauze
• Skin protectant
• Skin barrier sheets
• Umbilical tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Cut six strips of hypoallergenic tape. The tape should be between 2 inches and 3 inches wide; the length depends on the size of the bandage you want to adhere. The idea is to have the strips of tape stick out from the bandage a full 6 inches when completed.

• 2

  Fold one end of a strip over itself. The sticky sides should be touching. This will create a flap. Poke a hole in the end of the flap. You can use the blade of a pair of scissors or a hole puncher, whichever you prefer. Repeat this step with the other five strips.

• 3

  Apply the gauze to the patient and any skin treatments just as you normally would. Be sure to clean the patient's skin thoroughly before application. This helps to prevent irritation to the skin. Apply a skin protectant also. Apply a skin barrier sheet to the patient's skin on either side of the gauze.

• 4

  Apply the tape strips you created in Step 2 to the gauze, putting the sticky side against the skin barrier you applied in Step 3. Place three strips on either side, directly across from one another.

• 5

  Feed one 12-inch piece of umbilical tape through each of the pairs of holes you created in the tape in Step 2. If you do not have umbilical tape, you can use gauze ties or twill tape. Tie the ends of the tape together to hold the gauze in place. After you feed the tape through the two sets of holes and tie it together, it will bring the straps in, securing the gauze. Do not tie the tape too tight or it may irritate the skin.