[Decubitus: efficient prevention due to new pathogenetic knowledge]

Decubitus ulcers are spots of ischemic tissue necrosis caused by any imposed pressure which occludes the venules and arterioles. Therefore, the most important objective is to avoid completely or to lower the imposed skin pressure below the critical arterial occlusion pressure. This can be achieved by positioning the patient in the 30 degrees lateral position and/or by bedding them on a "supersoft" mattress. The efficacy of this method is demonstrated by recording the oxygen tension of compromised skin areas during these preventive measures and by an improving clinical statistics over a period of 5 years.