Surgical reconstructive procedures for treatment of ischial, sacral and trochanteric pressure ulcers

Pressure ulcers are frequent complications for long term hospitalized bed-ridden patients which are not able to move or move very little. In fact, the lesion forms in a skin and muscle region which undergoes a constant pressure between an underlying bone protrusion and a support structure such as a bed or a wheelchair. Initially only the outer layers are involved but in time, the ulcer can spread to the deeper structures and reach the bone.

In our work we described the anatomical areas that are most often subject to developing a pressure ulcer and we considered the surgical treatment and reconstructive procedures which are applied using a logical and rigorous sequence.

We considered 4 clinical cases (2 ischiatic sores, 1 sacral sore and 1 gluteal-trochanteric sore) which demonstrate the surgical treatment and the reconstructive procedures.

It is crucial to cover the defects with a thick flap to give more support and protection to the areas which undergo pressure and to lower the incidence of recurrences.