Measuring tissue interface pressures of two support surfaces used in the operating room.

Patients undergoing surgery are often overlooked for the prevention of pressure ulcers. Anesthetized patients are at very high risk for pressure injury due to forced immobility which occurs during surgery. This risk has been reported to be higher for patients undergoing vascular surgery. Few studies have been conducted which examine the tissue interface pressure of the conventional operating table pad and products available to reduce pressure for patients undergoing surgery. Several cases of pressure injury in patients undergoing vascular surgery led to this study.