PRESSURE SKIN ULCERS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Pressure ulcers represent a necrosis of skin and underlying tissues. They usually develop in areas exposed to prolonged pressure in which there is an ischemic situation worked out. Patients affected by paralysis and those with cardiovascular and neurological diseases have higher risk to be affected. Aim of this retrospective study is to asses the clinical outcome in a series of patients affected by pressure skin ulcers and discuss the pertinent literature A series of 40 patients were reviewed: there were 23 males and 17 females. Age ranged between 26 to 87 years (mean value 54 years). Ulcers were located in arms, sacrum-ischiatic areas and legs. Ulcers were treated with curettage, curettage plus bone cleaning and muscolocutaneus flap in 13, 12 and 15 cases, respectively. The variables analyzed in this study were: diagnosis, site, surgeons and failures. None of the studied variable (i.e. diagnosis, site and surgeons) were statically correlated with failures. Pressure ulcers are a very common disease for patients with decreased mobility. Suture line dehiscence and graft failure are the most common complication after surgery. Since just one case failed in our series, we demonstrated that pressure skin ulcers can be treated with a surgical approach. However, a strong rehabilitation program is also needed.