[Interface pressure measurement in the treatment of pressure sores. Comparison with subcutaneous pressure values measured in healthy volunteers].
BACKGROUND
Pressure relief is an important factor to determine the quality of anti-decubitus devices. Many studies have been carried out to measure the interface pressure, but because the results differed markedly, we made a study to assess the measurement devices.


METHODS
The systems FSA, a device for internal use in the Lück company, the X-Sensor and an invasive subcutaneous pressure measurement over the os-sacrum (COACH: piezoelectric probe, MIPM) were tested on 20 healthy volunteers (average age 27 years, average BMI 21.8).


RESULTS
The values of interface measurement showed obvious deviations from subcutaneous pressure in two cases (FSA +1.8%, Lück -33%, X-Sensor +65%) and some results showed extreme variations (FSA +18 mmHg, Lück -21 mmHg, X-Sensor +27 mmHg).


CONCLUSIONS
The interface pressure measurement (with a few volunteers) is not suitable for a correct assessment of anti-decubitus devices. Furthermore, the use of this method is not necessary to monitor pressure relief in intensive care patients. These systems can, however be useful in the training of nursing staff.
Völker
H-U
HU
Institut für Pathologie, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus, Ulm. hans-ullrich.voelker@t-online.de
Rölker
N
N
Willy
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001415:Back; D019719:Diagnostic Equipment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena