Intraoperative tissue injury. Major causes and preventive measures.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Nursing
• Patient Safety
• Wound Care

Background:

• Perioperative nurses play a crucial role in identifying and preventing patient injuries during surgical procedures.
• Extended surgical times, such as those for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, increase the risk of patient complications.
• Sacral pressure injuries are a potential concern for patients immobilized for long durations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causes of a sacral pressure injury identified postoperatively.
• To determine if surgical duration, intraoperative interventions, or physiological changes contributed to the skin injury.

Main Methods:

• Review of the perioperative nursing assessment and patient's intraoperative record.
• Analysis of potential contributing factors including surgical length, patient positioning, and use of warming devices.
• Consideration of physiological factors such as circulation and tissue perfusion.

Main Results:

• A reddened sacral area was noted during the postoperative assessment.
• The surgical procedure lasted for seven hours, indicating prolonged immobility.
• Potential contributing factors under review include surgical duration, hyperthermia blanket use, povidone-iodine pooling, and decreased circulation.

Conclusions:

• The sacral pressure injury likely resulted from prolonged pressure and potential contributing factors during the extended abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
• Emphasizes the importance of proactive nursing interventions to mitigate risks associated with long surgical procedures.
• Further investigation is warranted to pinpoint the exact cause and implement targeted preventive strategies.