Wound Management of Multi-Site Pressure Ulcer at Different Stages in Elderly Patients

Influence of Personality on Geriatric Rehabilitation Outcomes in Cauda Equina Syndrome Case

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) becomes more common as the population ages, making diagnosis challenging and leading to underdiagnosis and poor management. Person-centered care is crucial for successful rehabilitation outcomes, and patient's personality influences it. Female, 77 years old, diagnosed with CES caused by nucleus pulposus herniation at fourth to fifth lumbar vertebrae, with a complication of pressure injury grade IV due to immobilization. Her family's lack of caregiving skills, poverty, and histrionic personality disorder were her barriers to comply to rehabilitation program. Adding a psychotherapy based on personality on rehabilitation program increased her functional outcome. This case highlight the significance of assessing each patient's personality to optimize outcomes, emphasizing the importance of tailoring rehabilitation programs to individual needs, including psychosocial and environmental factors.

Repair of pressure ulcers in the elderly using autologous microskin implantation and negative pressure wound therapy: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Pressure ulcers remain a worldwide problem.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce an intermittent and feasible wound treatment method for the treatment of pressure ulcers in elderly patients.

METHODS

This surgical procedure was performed on eight elderly patients suffering from pressure ulcers. Microskin measuring 0.1 × 0.1 centimeters was cut from a small amount of thin skin and then grafted onto the wound surface in conjunction with closed negative pressure therapy.

RESULTS

Seven patients had their wounds closed after a single surgery, while one patient required two surgeries to close the wound.

CONCLUSION

Autologous microskin implantation for the treatment of pressure ulcers in the elderly is an effective method to close the wound, which can prevent the elderly from living with wounds in their later years and is a viable treatment option.

Effect of local oxygen therapy combined with vacuum sealing drainage on the healing of stage IV sacrococcygeal pressure ulcers

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of local oxygen therapy combined with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) on the healing of stage IV pressure ulcers sacrococcygeal. In this prospective study, we included a total of 98 patients with stage IV sacrococcygeal pressure ulcers in our hospital between February 2021 and June 2022. The patients enrolled were randomly and equally divided into two groups: the study group (undergoing local oxygen therapy combined with VSD treatment) and the control group (receiving conventional treatment). The wound healing time and hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Additionally, the wound area, tissue type, wound exudation and pain intensity were assessed before treatment, 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after treatment. The incidence of complications was also calculated. The study group demonstrated significantly shorter wound healing time and hospital stays compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in terms of wound area, tissue type and wound exudation between the two groups (p > 0.05); after 10, 20, 30 and 40 days of treatment, however, evidently smaller wound areas, improved tissue types and reduced wound exudation were observed in the study group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the study group exhibited increased microvascular count compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in pain intensity between the two groups (p > 0.05), whereas markedly lower pain intensity was seen in the study group than in the control group after 10, 20, 30 and 40 days of treatment (p < 0.05). The incidence of complications did not significantly differ between the two groups after 40 days of treatment (p > 0.05). Local oxygen therapy combined with VSD was found to effectively accelerate the healing process of stage IV sacrococcygeal pressure ulcers, leading to shorter hospital stays and improved patient prognosis. This combined therapy shows promise for widespread application in clinical practice.