BACKGROUND: Pressure-induced skin breakdown is not only a painful inconvenience to the patient, but it is also associated with a prolonged hospital stay. This study examined the incidence of pressure-induced skin breakdown in attempt to identify the associated risk factors during elective surgery.

METHODS: Data were collected from 808 subjects who underwent orthopedic, thoracic, neuro- or plastic surgery over a six-month period. The data included age, gender, weight, height, body mass index, ASA status, surgical position, operation time, estimated blood loss, preoperative hemoglobin concentration, serum albumin, co-morbidity, and intraoperative hypotension. The patient's skin was inspected closely within 24 hours after surgery. The sites and severity of skin breakdown were assessed.

RESULTS: Of the 808 patients in this study, 192 patients (23.8%) developed skin breakdown during surgery. The incidence of blisters, abrasion, or blister and abrasion was 6.1%. The patient's weight, operation time, estimated blood loss, malignancy, and intraoperative hypotension were significantly related to the development of skin breakdown (P < 0.05). The incidence of pressure-induced skin breakdown was highest in the prone position (P = 0.000). Age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, preoperative hemoglobin and albumin level were not found to be risk factors of skin breakdown.

CONCLUSIONS: The early identification of a patient at risk is a first step in a scientifically based approach for preventing the development of pressure sores. Although intervention will not always prevent the development of pressure sores, a medical team must recognize the risk factors associated with skin breakdown and carry out careful intervention during the perioperative period.