The efficacy of single-stage surgical management of multiple pressure sores in spinal cord-injured patients.

The practice of multiple-stage management in the treatment of patients with multiple pressure ulcers has long represented the standard of care in many specialty centers. The authors have observed that an aggressive surgical approach has proved necessary for control of this devastating problem in these patients. Their experience with one-stage reconstruction of multiple pressure sores over a 10-year period (between 1986 and 1996) in 120 spinal cord-injured patients has revealed certain advantages of this comprehensive method of surgical management. Although cumulative operating time and intraoperative blood loss were somewhat increased, the number of anesthetic episodes and the hospital stay were less than that seen in patients managed in multiple stages. Accordingly, rehabilitation and societal reintegration can be initiated earlier, and overall hospital cost may be better contained.