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Backside first in head and neck surgery?: Preventing pressure ulcers in extended length surgeries
Author(s) -
Chalian Ara A.,
Kagan Sarah H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0347(200101)23:1<25::aid-hed4>3.0.co;2-3
Subject(s) - medicine , pressure injury , head and neck , surgery , complication , incidence (geometry) , anesthesia , intensive care medicine , physics , optics
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 (RIK®) 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 (Skytron®). 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 pressure‐reducing device achieved the performance improvement objective. Implications for future research and current care are discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 25–28, 2001.