A 4-cm thermoactive viscoelastic foam pad on the operating room table to prevent pressure ulcer during cardiac surgery.
OBJECTIVE
In this experimental study, a 4-cm thermoactive viscoelastic foam overlay and a heating source on the operating room table was compared with the standard operating room table with a heating source for the effect on the postoperative pressure ulcer incidence in cardiac surgery patients.


BACKGROUND
Pressure ulcer incidence in the cardiac surgery population is reported to be up to 29.5%. The prolonged compressive forces from lying on the operating room table are one source of pressure ulcer development in this population. Pressure-reducing devices on the operating room (OR)-table should reduce the patients' interface pressure and thus the hazard of skin breakdown.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was performed to test the effect of a 4-cm thermoactive viscoelastic foam overlay with a water-filled warming mattress on the OR-table (test OR-table) compared with the standard OR-table (a water-filled warming mattress, no pressure-reducing device) on the postoperative pressure ulcer incidence in cardiac surgery patients.


METHODS
The pressure ulcer classification system of the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) was used for pressure ulcer grading.


RESULTS
The results show that patients lying on the 4-cm thermoactive viscoelastic foam overlay suffer slightly more pressure ulcer (17.6%) than patients on the standard OR-table without the foam overlay (11.1%). Because of the clinical relevance of the results, the randomized controlled trial was terminated after 175 patients at the interim analysis although the power calculation stated 350 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of a 4-cm viscoelastic foam overlay and a warming source cannot be recommended for pressure ulcer prevention on the operating room table.


CONCLUSIONS
Foam overlays are used to prevent pressure ulcers in patients. It is necessary to use such devices according to patient safety and use of resources.
Feuchtinger
Johanna
J
University Hospital Freiburg, Germany. johanna.feuchtinger@uniklinik-freiburg.de
de Bie
Rob
R
Dassen
Theo
T
Halfens
Ruud
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000592:standards*; D001831:Body Temperature; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water
D014867:Water