The prevalence of pressure sores is increasing, mainly due to the increased number of patient with spinal cord injuries or with the long-term debilitated patients after traffic, industrial, or other accidents.
The interest of plastic surgeons in pressure sores has increased and the techniques in the surgical management of pressure sores were also much improved.
Especially, CO poisoning plays a very large role in causing pressure sores in Korea, in contrast with Western countries.
This thesis reports the following results drawn from clinical research on 18 cases of pressure sores who were treated in the Department of Plastic surgery in Kyungpook National University Hospital during the period between Jan. 1981 and Jun. 1985.
1) On sex distribution, males were predominant (2:1).
2) On age distribution, all cases were included in the productive age group, but most common age group affected was the 20∼29 group.
3) On etiologic distribution, trauma and CO intoxication were most common, and males were more commonly affected by trauma.
4) Eight of eighteen cases were ambulatory.
5) Locations of pressure were mainly sacral and trochanteric area.
6) In depth of sorses, in neary all the patients with ores after trauml, the sores reached to the underlying. These sores were treated by myocutaneous flaps.
7) On initial examination, 4 of 11 cases revealed serum protein below 6gm%, and 7 of 16 cases revealed hemoglobin below 12gm%.
8) Bacteriologically, staphylococcus, pseudomonas and proteus were the main infection organisms. These organisms had multiple drug resistance to antibiotics.
9) Postoperative complications were noted in about one third of the cases. Among the complications were flap tip necrosis, loss of skin graft and wound disruption. These noted in male patients.
10) The average postoperative hospitalization was 12 days after S.T.S.G., 25 days after local flaps, and 54 days after myocutaneous flaps. In the last group, there were many other reasons for their long term hospitalization, though their wounds were healed and needed no further procedures.
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