title: Unusual cause of a facial pressure ulcer: the helmet securing the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube.
abstract: Many medical devices, such as pulse oximetry, ventilation masks and other splints are put on critically ill patients. Although these devices are designed to deliver relatively low physical pressure to the skin of the patient, they can still cause pressure ulcers (PUs) in critically ill patients. There are reports of medical device-related PUs on the face. Here we describe forehead skin necrosis caused by the securing helmet for the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube. It is difficult to detect this kind of PU early, because most of the patients have decreased mental status or delirium due to varix bleeding. For this reason, medical staff should be aware of the risk of developing a PU by the device and take preventive measures accordingly.
authors.affiliation: The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.affiliation: The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital.
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.affiliation: The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital.
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005546:Forehead / Q000293:injuries*; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Sengstaken-Blakemore tube; medical device; pressure ulcer; tissue ischemia