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Published on: December 4, 2021
Surgical Reconstruction of Stage 3 and 4 Pressure Injuries: A Literature Review and Proposed Algorithm from an
Samir S Awad1, James D Stern, Cathy T Milne
1Samir S. Awad, MD, MPH, FACS, is Professor of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine and Chief of Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA. James D. Stern, MD, FACS, is Plastic Surgeon, Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood, Florida. Cathy T. Milne, APRN, MSN, ANP/ACNS-BC, CWOCN-AP, is Co-owner, Connecticut Clinical Nursing Associates, Bristol, Connecticut. Shane G. Dowling, MSPAS, PA-C, CWS, is Medical Science Liaison, Aroa Biosurgery Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. Ron Sotomayor, BA, RN, CWOCN, is a wound, ostomy, and continence nurse, Advent Health, Orlando, Florida. Elizabeth A. Ayello, PhD, MS, RN, ETN, CWON, FAAN, is Editor-in-Chief, Advances in Skin & Wound Care and President, Ayello, Harris and Associates Incorporated, Copake, New York. Leandro J. Feo Aguirre, MD, FACS, is Colorectal Surgeon, Palm Beach Health Network, Del Ray Beach, Florida. Basil Z. Khalaf, MD, is Wound Care Physician, The MEDIKAL Group, Houston, Texas. Lisa J. Gould, MD, is Plastic Surgeon, South Shore Health, Weymouth, Massachusetts. Michael N. Desvigne, MD, FACS, CWS, is Plastic Surgeon, Desvigne Plastic Surgery and Abrazo Health, Scottsdale, Arizona. Abigail E. Chaffin, MD, FACS, CWSP, is Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief, Division of Plastic Surgery, Tulane University and Medical Director, MedCentris Wound Healing Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Objective:
Stage 3 and 4 pressure injuries (PIs) present an enormous societal burden with no clearly defined interventions for surgical reconstruction. The authors sought to assess, via literature review and a reflection/evaluation of their own clinical practice experience (where applicable), the current limitations to the surgical intervention of stage 3 or 4 PIs and propose an algorithm for surgical reconstruction.
Methods:
An interprofessional working group convened to review and assess the scientific literature and propose an algorithm for clinical practice. Data compiled from the literature and a comparison of institutional management were used to develop an algorithm for the surgical reconstruction of stage 3 and 4 PIs with adjunctive use of negative-pressure wound therapy and bioscaffolds.
Results:
Surgical reconstruction of PI has relatively high complication rates. The use of negative-pressure wound therapy as adjunctive therapy is beneficial and widespread, leading to reduced dressing change frequency. The evidence for the use of bioscaffolds both in standard wound care and as an adjunct to surgical reconstruction of PI is limited. The proposed algorithm aims to reduce complications typically seen with this patient cohort and improve patient outcomes from surgical intervention.
Conclusions:
The working group has proposed a surgical algorithm for stage 3 and 4 PI reconstruction. The algorithm will be validated and refined through additional clinical research.
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