Evaluation of pressure ulcer risk and development in operating rooms.

AIM

This study aimed to determine the risk and development of pressure ulcers in operating rooms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sample of the study included a total of 250 patients. In the study, the risk of pressure ulcers was assessed before the operation, and the development of pressure ulcers was evaluated within 24 h after the operation.

RESULTS

The risk of pressure ulcers was low before the operation, and Stage I pressure ulcer developed in 12.8% of the patients within 24 h after the operation. The patients had pressure ulcers mostly in their sacrum. Their mean 3S Intraoperative Risk Assessment Scale of Pressure Sore score was 15.68 ± 4.84, suggesting that they were not at risk of developing pressure ulcers. Having a chronic disease (OR = 8.986; 95% CI = 3.697-21.845), undergoing general anesthesia (OR = 3.084; 95% CI = 1.323-7.194), and orthopedic surgery (OR = 10.172; 95% CI = 3.121-33.155) were statistically significant risk factors for pressure ulcers (p < 0.001). Additionally, moderately edematous skin (OR = 3.838; 95% CI = 1.024-14.386), overweight/underweight (OR = 16.333; 95% CI = 3.779-70.602), intraoperative bleeding greater than 800 ml (OR = 13.000; 95% CI = 3.451-48.969), operation time longer than 5 h (OR = 21.667; 95% CI = 2.122-221.223), moderate intraoperative stress (OR = 4.917; 95% CI = 0.425-56.916), body temperature higher than 38.3 °C or lower than 36.1 °C (OR = 5.462; 95% CI = 2.161-13.805), and intraoperative prone position (OR = 3.354; 95% CI = 1.386-8.115) were statistically significant risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers.

CONCLUSION

According to our preoperative pressure ulcer risk assessment, it is very important to take additional protective measures both during and after surgical operations to prevent pressure ulcers.