REVIEW Pathogenesis and Management of Pressure Ulcers

Pressure ulcers are a major problem in spinal cord injury patients and nursing home patients. The etiology is most probably pressure-induced ischemia. The first histopathologic changes are likely to occur either in muscle or subepidermal-ly. Prevention of the problem is the best management, and the hallmark of pre-vention is identifying patients at risk and turning them frequently. When pressure sores occur, they heal with conservative measurements 80 % of the time. With large, ulcerated, or infected lesions, surgical management is indicated. With sep-sis, surgery should be performed immediately. Surgeons have made great prog-ress filling huge defects with innovative grafts. Nevertheless, recurrence is a con-tinuous problem. The use of an air-fluidized bed is beneficial in relieving pressure on the operated area during the postoperative period and in the measurement of pressure sores in general. Key Words: Pressure ulcers—Spinal cord injury-Pressure-Shearing forces-Friction-Moisture. Areas of damage to the skin and tissues due to combined pressure, referred to as pressure sores