Preventing pressure sores of the nasal ala after nasotracheal tube intubation: from animal model to clinical application.
OBJECTIVE
Nasal-ala pressure sores induced by nasotracheal intubation are common complications of oral and maxillofacial surgery, but are easily ignored. To determine whether such sores could be prevented, we studied the effects of a combination of cushioning material in an animal model, and then analyzed the efficacy of this combination clinically.


METHODS
Four pigs received nasotracheal intubation. Each pig received intubation for 4, 8, 12, or 16 hours. Outcomes from pigs undergoing 500-gram-weight compression on each nostril were compared: one nostril received an application of cushioning materials, and the contralateral nostril did not. After the required study period, clinical assessment and further evaluation were performed by measuring pressure-sore dimensions and performing incisional biopsies. Clinical applications of this protective technique were then undertaken. Eight patients who underwent intubation without Soft Liner (GC Co, Tokyo, Japan) and DuoDERM CGF (ConvaTec, Inc, Princeton, NJ) protection, and 10 patients with Soft Liner and DuoDERM protection, were evaluated.


RESULTS
The protective efficacy of the cushioning materials was significant in the animal model as well as in clinical practice. Pressure sores were avoided on the protected side, with severe tissue necrosis documented on the control side.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that the combined use of Soft Liner and DuoDERM reduced the size and severity of nasal-ala pressure sores attributable to nasotracheal intubation during oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Huang
Tze-Ta
TT
Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Dalin, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Tseng
Chih-En
CE
Lee
Tsan-Mu
TM
Yeh
Jen-Ying
JY
Lai
Yu-Yung
YY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008689:Methacrylates; D008875:Middle Aged; D023421:Models, Animal; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000293:injuries*; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013552:Swine
D008689:Methacrylates; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C073909:GC Soft-Liner