A rare location for a common problem: popliteal pressure ulcer

Pressure ulcer is defined as localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear. The most frequent sites for pressure ulcers are the occiput, sacrum, ischial tuberosities, trochanters, lateral malleoli and posterior heels. Herein, we present a case of grade III pressure ulcer seen in popliteal region which is an unusual localisation that is rarely seen in the literature. An awareness of this unusual localisation of pressure ulcer is necessary to prevent decrease in quality of life, particularly in the wheelchair‐dependent population.     

Medical device related pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients

Most pressure ulcers occur over bony prominences such as heels and the sacrum. However, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel recognises that pressure ulcers can also occur on any tissue under pressure and thereby can develop beneath medical devices. This article reports on results from a secondary analysis of existing data collected by The Nebraska Medical Center on pressure ulcer quality improvement initiatives and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to quantify the extent of the problem and identify risk factors for medical device related (MDR) pressure ulcer development in hospitalised patients. A subset of data collected during eight quarterly pressure ulcer incidence and prevalence studies (N = 2178) was created and analysed. The overall rate of hospital‐acquired pressure ulcers was 5·4% (113 of 2079). The proportion of patients with hospital‐acquired ulcers related to medical devices was 34·5% (39 of 113). Findings indicate that if a patient had a medical device, they were 2·4 times more likely to develop a pressure ulcer of any kind. Numerous risk factors for pressure ulcer development were identified; however, none differentiated between those with MDR and traditional pressure ulcers.     

Prognosis of stage I pressure ulcers and related factors

The prognosis of stage I pressure ulcers cannot be predicted; therefore, nursing interventions for preventing their deterioration have not been clearly established. This study describes the clinical course of stage I pressure ulcers and prospectively investigates the factors related to their deterioration. Thirty-one stage I pressure ulcers in 30 patients in a long-term care facility were studied, and morphological changes were assessed every day until the ulcers healed or deteriorated. The physiological changes were assessed by ultrasonography and thermography. Twenty ulcers healed, and 11 deteriorated. The characteristics of deterioration were as follows: (1) double erythema; (2) non blanchable erythema across the whole area determined by glass plate compression; (3) erythema away from the tip of the bony prominence; and (4) expanding erythema on the following day. We analysed the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and positive likelihood ratio for the diagnostic utility of the indicators of deterioration double erythema and distance from the tip of bony prominence, which can be instantly assessed without the use of any special device. The values were 36.4%, 95.0%, 80.0%, 73.1% and 7.28, respectively. These results suggest that clinicians can predict the prognosis of stage I pressure ulcers by initial assessment and provide appropriate care based on the assessment.     

A review of the mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of the diabetic foot

The developmental pathway toward diabetic foot ulceration is best described as multifactorial. A critical triad of neuropathy, minor foot trauma, and foot deformity has been identified in greater than 63% of foot ulcers. In addition to these risk factors, increased peak plantar pressures, autonomic and motor neuropathy, limited joint mobility, and impaired wound healing contribute to the formation of diabetic foot ulcers. It is essential to understand the pathogenesis of foot ulcers so that appropriate treatments may be developed.     

Presacral tumor associated with the Currarino triad in an adolescent

A 17-year-old woman presented with pain over the sacral region. Plain radiographs of the sacrum demonstrated a bony deformity of the sacrococcygeal region in the shape of a scimitar. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a cystic mass of the presacral region which appeared to be continuous with the dural sac. An anteroposterior view myelogram revealed caudal elongation of the dural sac, and on the lateral view it was recognized as an anterior meningocele. At surgery, we confirmed a connection between the presacral mass and the rectum. In light of the combination of a sacral bony deformity, presacral mass including meningocele, and mass-rectum connection, we made the diagnosis of the Currarino triad, which is a rare complex of congenital caudal anomalies. The patient underwent excision of the presacral mass. Histologic examination of the resected specimen revealed features of an epidermoid cyst. Received: 4 August 1999     

Late sequelae of secondary Haglund's deformity after malunion of tongue type calcaneal fracture: report of two cases

We are reporting two cases of calcaneal fractures with posterior heel pain due to a prominent superior calcaneal tuberosity impinging on the Achilles tendon after a tongue type fracture. Malunion of the tongue fracture fragment resulted in the symptomatic bony prominence, which we defined as the secondary Haglund's deformity. Both cases were treated with resection of the superior calcaneal tuberosity when symptoms continued after non-surgical treatment. Clinical results after operations were both satisfactory with complete pain relief.     

Plastisch-chirurgische Defektdeckung beim Dekubitus des Rumpfes und der Beckenregion

Decubitus ulcers develop due to pressure on tissue resulting in decreased perfusion of the affected region. Areas with bony prominences are mainly affected. At risk are immobile patients or patients with limited mobility as well as people with sensitivity disorders. Patients in advanced age are more endangered than younger ones regarding the development of pressure ulcers and this patient population usually presents with a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors; therefore, prevention and treatment of extensive tissue lesions are a particular multidisciplinary challenge with high socioeconomic significance in respect to the demographic change with an increasing proportion of elderly people. Surgical treatment is of special importance for extensive lesions and unstable scar tissue formation. In addition to invasive wound cleaning by lavage, debridement and bacterial decontamination, procedures with local and regional tissue transfer are given priority for permanent coverage of skin defects. Free tissue flap techniques are also established but are less commonly used. Nutrition, complication management and positioning of the patient are mandatory additional measures for improved outcome.     

An ex vivo porcine skin model to evaluate pressure‐reducing devices of different mechanical properties used for pressure ulcer prevention

Pressure ulcers are complex wounds caused by pressure‐ and shear‐induced trauma to skin and underlying tissues. Pressure‐reducing devices, such as dressings, have been shown to successfully reduce pressure ulcer incidence, when used in adjunct to pressure ulcer preventative care. While pressure‐reducing devices are available in a range of materials, with differing mechanical properties, understanding of how a material's mechanical properties will influence clinical efficacy remains limited. The aim of this study was to establish a standardized ex vivo model to allow comparison of the cell protection potential of two gel‐like pressure‐reducing devices with differing mechanical properties (elastic moduli of 77 vs. 35 kPa). The devices also displayed differing energy dissipation under compressive loading, and resisted strain differently under constant load in compressive creep tests. To evaluate biological efficacy we employed a new ex vivo porcine skin model, with a confirmed elastic moduli closely matching that of human skin (113 vs. 119 kPa, respectively). Static loads up to 20 kPa were applied to porcine skin ex vivo with subsequent evaluation of pressure‐induced cell death and cytokine release. Pressure application alone increased the percentage of epidermal apoptotic cells from less than 2% to over 40%, and increased cellular secretion of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine TNF‐alpha. Co‐application of a pressure‐reducing device significantly reduced both cellular apoptosis and cytokine production, protecting against cellular damage. These data reveal new insight into the relationship between mechanical properties of pressure‐reducing devices and their biological effects. After appropriate validation of these results in clinical pressure ulcer prevention with all tissue layers present between the bony prominence and external surface, this ex vivo porcine skin model could be widely employed to optimize design and evaluation of devices aimed at reducing pressure‐induced skin damage.     

A national study of pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence in acute care hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to establish national benchmarks for pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence among acute care health organizations served by Novation LLC. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: One hundred sixteen acute care facilities from 34 states participated; the sample consisted of 17,560 patients in hospital-based medical-surgical or intensive care units. INSTRUMENTS: Standardized education kits were provided to each participating site. The kits included an educational video about pressure ulcer staging, a post-test and answer key, and assessment form for patient data collection. METHODS: Pressure ulcer prevalence was measured during a predetermined 24-hour period at each facility. Incidence was measured over the average length of stay determined for each participating facility. Subjects were assessed by teams consisting of a registered nurse and one other health care professional (e.g. licensed practical nurse, physical therapist). Demographic, wound, and other data were collected for these patients. Data collection forms were audited and submitted to a central site for database entry, analysis, and generation of reports. RESULTS: The average length of stay for the participating facilities was 5 days. Pressure ulcers developed in 7% of the subjects (n = 383); 90% were stage I or II pressure ulcers, and 73% occurred in patients older than 65 years. The most sites based on both prevalence and incidence measurements were the sacrum and coccyx at 26% and 31%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and incidence studies must be routinely conducted to clearly identify the extent of the pressure ulcer problem to provide guidance for efficient and effective corrective action.     

Current concepts in curative surgery for diabetic forefoot ulcers

Forefoot ulcerations in patients with diabetes are quite common. Underlying mechanical deformities of the foot in combination with neuropathy are the most important risk factors for ulcer development and adequate offloading is the mainstay of management. Most ulcers heal with local wound care, adequate blood supply, and pressure relief. If a foot deformity cannot be accommodated, ulcers will not heal or may recur. In this case, surgical correction of deformity is necessary. This paper reviews the most common procedures supported by medical evidence to heal neuropathic forefoot ulcers.     

Prevention: can we stop problems before they arise?

It is estimated that 50% of diabetic ulcerations and amputations can be prevented by identifying the at-risk foot and implementing preventative strategies. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) should be screened and placed in the appropriate risk category. Risk factors for the development of ulcer in several prospective studies include neuropathy, deformity, limited joint mobility, vascular disease, and history of previous ulceration or amputation. Early identification of the at-risk foot and placing the patient in the appropriate risk category is essential to prevention. Once the at-risk foot is identified, abnormal foot pressures should be reduced or eliminated using several treatment options. Repetitive, moderate mechanical stress (the pressure time integral) is often the initial mechanism of injury in the formation and/or recurrence of diabetic foot ulcers. Once conservative treatment options to off load the foot have failed, surgery should be considered. There are patients with diabetic foot ulcers for whom a combination of surgery (intrinsic off loading) and extrinsic off loading is better than either method alone. These difficult wounds are characterized by a combination of variables acting singularly or together, such as neuropathy, rigid deformity, limited joint mobility, and activity level. Our experience dictates, patients with rigid deformity and limited joint mobility get caught in the cycle of repetitive stress and cannot break the cycle until the etiology of the structural deformity is addressed surgically and preventative strategies for off loading, temperature monitoring, and activity level are implemented. If a structural deformity exists, the deformity will delay or prevent healing of the ulcer. Once the ulcer is healed, the likelihood for recurrence is high unless the deformity is corrected. When a structural deformity exists, the patient should be referred for evaluation and possible prophylactic surgery.     

The prevalence of pressure ulcers in community‐dwelling older adults: A study in an Indonesian city

The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence and the characteristics of pressure ulcers (PU) in community‐dwelling older adults in Indonesia, including specific characteristics of the PU patients and their use of formal and informal care. A cross‐sectional design was used for the study, with 325 participants aged 60 years or older, randomly chosen from the general community. The overall PU prevalence and the PU prevalence excluding category 1 were 10.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.8‐15.8) and 5.2% (95% CI 0.2‐10.2), respectively. Category 1 PUs were mostly (34.3%) located on knees and toes, while category 2 and higher PUs were mostly (70.4%) located on the shoulder, sacrum, and hip. The main factors that contributed strongly to PUs among older adults in the community were the degree of physical activity, problems with sensory perception, and having a history of stroke. None of the participants with a PU received wound care or information about PUs from formal caregivers and only 11.4% received wound care from family caregivers. This study shows that pressure ulcers in community‐dwelling older adults in Indonesia are a relevant and largely unaddressed problem. Developing an intervention program to manage the PU problem in the community is recommended.     

Non‐invasive assessment of negative pressure wound therapy using high frequency diagnostic ultrasound: oedema reduction and new tissue accumulation

Tissue oedema plays an important role in the pathology of chronic and traumatic wounds. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is thought to contribute to active oedema reduction, yet few studies have showed this effect. In this study, high frequency diagnostic ultrasound at 20 MHz with an axial resolution of 60 µm was used to assess the effect of NPWT at – 80 mmHg on pressure ulcers and the surrounding tissue. Wounds were monitored in four patients over a 3‐month period during which changes in oedema and wound bed thickness (granulation tissue) were measured non‐invasively. The results showed a rapid reduction of periwound tissue oedema in all patients with levels falling by a mean of 43% after 4 days of therapy. A 20% increase in the thickness of the wound bed was observed after 7 days due to new granulation tissue formation. Ultrasound scans through the in situ gauze NPWT filler also revealed the existence of macrodeformation in the tissue produced by the negative pressure. These preliminary studies suggest that non‐invasive assessment using high frequency diagnostic ultrasound could be a valuable tool in clinical studies of NPWT.     

Predictive validity of weekly monitoring of wound status using DESIGN‐R score change for pressure ulcer healing: A multicenter prospective cohort study

There are few studies on predictive validity of methods to monitor the healing process of pressure ulcers. We evaluated whether the change of DESIGN‐R (rating) score could predict subsequent healing, and determined the optimal cutoff points. In a multicenter prospective cohort study, patients were followed until wound healing or censoring. Wound severity was evaluated by the DESIGN‐R tool every week, and the score change was calculated over 1–4 weeks (n = 411, 286, 224, and 170, respectively). In the multivariate analyses stratified by depth, a one‐point improvement in DESIGN‐R score over any period was positively associated with healing within the next 30 days independent of initial wound severity (hazard ratios over each 1–4 weeks ranging from 1.16 to 1.33 for superficial ulcers and from 1.21 to 1.27 for deep ulcers; all p < 0.05). The optimal cutoff points over 1–4 weeks were set as negative change for superficial ulcers and as positive change of ≥two points for deep ulcers. Nonhealing rate was higher for ulcers with DESIGN‐R score change below the cutoff points than that aforementioned for both depths. Weekly monitoring by the DESIGN‐R tool will be advantageous for evaluating prognosis of pressure ulcers independent of initial wound severity and depth.     

Two cases of pressure ulcers related to acute calcium pyrophosphate crystal arthritis: A new concept of “disease‐specific unexpected external forces”

Sudden‐onset immobilisation generates unexpected external forces over bony prominences and is a potential cause of pressure ulcers. Here, we report two cases of deep pressure ulcers in patients with acute monoarthritis as a result of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal deposition (pseudogout). The patients were women in their 80 who could perform activities of daily living by themselves. They developed pressure ulcers while living in their own home. Because acute CPP crystal arthritis is known to develop in relatively healthy elderly patients, patients and caregivers do not expect sudden‐onset immobilisation. In addition, larger joints are preferentially involved in acute CPP crystal arthritis, leading to the inability of patients to change positions themselves. Therefore, acute CPP crystal arthritis should be recognised as a potential causal disease for pressure ulcers. This case report further highlights a new concept of “disease‐specific unexpected external force”, which is beneficial for the prevention of pressure ulcers.     

Initial multi‐centre observations upon the effect of a new topical negative pressure device upon patient and clinician experience and the treatment of wounds

Topical Negative Pressure (TNP) has become an accepted intervention in wound healing with a growing body of scientific literature supporting the effectiveness of TNP across a wide variety of wound aetiologies. The range of TNP devices has also increased with perhaps the primary distinction being between those TNP devices that employ gauze or foam as a wound dressing. This study reports preliminary multi‐centre observations upon the use of a new gauze based TNP device in the treatment of wounds. Across 3 study centres twenty‐nine subjects were recruited to the study with 8 presenting with leg ulcers, 8 with pressure ulcers, 12 with acute or surgical wounds and 1 with a non‐healing burn injury. Wounds were then treated with the new TNP therapy for a maximum of 17 days (range 2–17 days). There appeared to be a trend for subjects with leg ulcers to be treated for longer (mean duration 12.9 days) compared to subjects with pressure ulcers (mean duration 6.5 days) or those with surgical wounds (mean duration 8.2 days). Given the relatively short duration of the TNP therapy no wound completely healed although 22/29 (75.9%) showed reductions in surface area per day of treatment with all but 1 pressure ulcer and 1 leg ulcer responding positively to treatment. While not an RCT, this and similar cohort studies may be central to the future selection of TNP devices given the increasing importance of the role of the user interface to reduce the likelihood of incorrect use and sub‐optimal outcomes.     

Analysis of pressure ulcer wound fluid using two‐dimensional electrophoresis

The incidence rate of pressure ulcers in the USA ranges from 0·4% to 38% in acute care settings and from 2·2% to 23·9% in long‐term care settings, and their treatment costs are in the billions of dollars yearly. The proteome of wound fluid may contain early indicators or biomarkers associated with healing in pressure ulcers that would enable treatment regimes to be optimised for each individual. Wound fluid was collected from the interior and periphery of 19 chronic pressure ulcers at 15 time points during 42 days for an analysis of protein expression. Proteins were fractionated using two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A comparison of the spot distributions indicates a biochemical difference between the interior and the periphery of wounds. Pressure ulcers that healed show a greater number of spots for interior and peripheral locations combined over time when compared with wounds that did not heal. Using this technique, protein S100A9 was identified as a potential biomarker of wound healing. The identification of differences within the proteome of healing versus non healing pressure ulcers could have great significance in the use of current treatments, as well as the development of new therapeutic interventions.     

Trapezius sparing minimally aggressive surgical technique for sprengel deformity: A case report

Sprengel deformity is a rare congenital anomaly of the pectoral girdle of unknown incidence. Surgical intervention is indicated in moderate to severe cases having functional and cosmetic impairment. Various surgical corrective procedures have evolved over the past decades, however the extensive magnitude of some of the surgical techniques have sometimes resulted in an unwarranted worse outcome due to associated complications like brachial plexus palsy, scapular winging, sternoclavicular joint prominence, improper scar healing and keloid formation which restrict such procedures to experienced hands at few centres. We report a case of Cavendish grade 3 Sprengel deformity in a five-year-old boy managed with a minimally aggressive modified technique of preserving the trapezius and restricting the surgery to excision of omovertebral bar and supraspinatous part of scapula by a transverse incision overlying the spine of scapula. In Sprengel deformity, the trapezius attached to the elevated scapula is underdeveloped and the technique of retraction instead of detachment of this muscle during surgery, can prevent scar adhesions and improve wound healing. In our patient, satisfactory cosmetic correction and good functional shoulder movements were achieved with minimal intervention.