title: Risk indicators for pressure ulcers during surgery.
abstract: Patients undergoing surgery are prone to develop pressure ulcers during surgery. The aim of this study was to identify pressure ulcer risk indicators in patients undergoing surgery which lasted more than four hours. A prospective follow-up study was conducted in 208 patients. Data on presence or absence of pressure ulcers and risk indicators were collected preoperatively, during surgery, and postoperatively. The results show that of the many indicators recorded, the only predictor of pressure ulcers was length of surgery. Because it is not possible to influence the length of the surgery, prevention should primarily be aimed at decreasing pressure and shearing forces during surgery.
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. L.Schoonhoven@jc.azu.nl
authors.forename: Lisette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schoonhoven
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Defloor
authors.forename: Ingeborg
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: van der Tweel
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Buskens
authors.forename: Maria H F
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Grypdonck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors