Backside first in head and neck surgery?: Preventing pressure ulcers in extended length surgeries

✍ Scribed by Ara A. Chalian; Sarah H. Kagan

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 67 KB
• Volume: 23
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0347(200101)23:1<25::aid-hed4>3.0.co;2-3

✦ Synopsis

Background. The operating room (OR) presents a high-risk environment for pressure injury. We designed a project to improve performance in the prevention of intraoperative pressure ulcers in extended length head and neck surgeries for malignancies (ELS) using a fluid mattress (RIKா) intraoperatively.

Methods. A descriptive design was used to monitor performance improvement in this underrecognized aspect of patient care. A fluid, pressure-reducing OR mattress (RIK) was compared with the use of a standard foam OR mattress (Skytronா). A convenience group of 36 consecutive patients, undergoing ELS, was included in the project. Patients were evaluated for presence or absence of a pressure ulcer immediately and 72 hours postoperatively.

Results. Patient groups were demographically and surgically comparable at a clinical level. Pressure ulcer incidence before intervention was 21% (4 of 19). This declined to 0% after intervention.

Conclusions. Intraoperative pressure ulcers are a costly complication. Presence of a pressure ulcer extends time in the sick role and disrupts desired aesthetic outcomes. Use of a pressurereducing device achieved the performance improvement objective. Implications for future research and current care are discussed.