Follow-up of Geriatric Patients with Pressure Ulcers by Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery in Intensive Care Conditions

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to define the Follow-up results and the observation of relationship between the clinical features and woundconditions of geriatric patients with pressure ulcers treated in the intensive care unit by Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (PRAS)Methods: The research was carried out at Evliya Çelebi Training and Research Hospital of Kütahya University of Health Sciences betweenJanuary 2018 and January 2020. All pressure ulcers on set of our patients was observed during hospitalization. Study was conducted on 215patients hospitalized in neurology and general intensive care units. Ulcer diagnosis was performed by European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel(EPUAP) and National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP). Patient data were collected and evaluated by surgical care nurse and PRC surgeontogether during the visit. The confidentiality and personal rights of each patient were respected.Results: There were 215 patients with pressure injuries, 45.6% were hospitalized in the neurology intensive care unit and 42.5% were with thediagnosis of cerebrovascular disease, 41.6% of patients state of consciousness was evaluated as confused. Gender prevalence were 52.2% werefemale with mean age 72.5 ± 2.4. There are 43.2% of the ulcers were in the sacral area, 52% were in stage 2, all patients had fecal / urinaryincontinence.Conclusion: Awareness and education of the care professionals working in intensive care units in terms of preventive measures can savepatients from pressure ulcers and avoid patients from the difficult and risky surgical interventions.