Risk factors for skin breakdown after renal and adrenal surgery

To perform a retrospective review in patients undergoing urologic operations during a 10-year period. Patient positioning is important before surgery to avoid pressure sores and other iatrogenic injuries. The reported risk factors have included a long operative time, diabetes, and malignancy. We have noted skin breakdown in patients placed on stabilizing devices and in patients with germline von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene mutations (a gene important in angiogenesis).

We performed a retrospective review in patients undergoing urologic operations during a 10-year period. Patient sex, age, blood loss, position, use of belt or Vac Pac, and diagnosis of VHL were correlated with skin breakdown.

During a 10-year period, 382 patients underwent primarily renal and adrenal surgery. Fifty-five patients (14.4%) developed skin breakdown after surgery. Ninety-six patients had VHL gene mutations. Patient position and operative time were both significantly related to skin breakdown (both P <0.0001). The odds ratio for the position effect indicated that patients in the lateral position were at much greater risk than patients in the supine position (estimated odds ratio 8.1, P <0.0001). The odds ratio for operative time confirmed that patients experiencing longer operative times were also at increased risk of skin breakdown (estimated odds ratio 3.7 for each doubling of the operative time, P <0.0001). Patient sex, patient age, estimated blood loss, diagnosis of VHL, and use of belt or Vac Pac were not associated with an increased risk of skin breakdown.

Patients with longer operative times were at greater risk of skin breakdown and required greater care during preoperative positioning. The other factors studied were not significantly associated with skin breakdown.