[Treatment of decubitus ulcer using a synthetic skin substitute]

Due to the loss of topesthesia and to the impairment of the vasomotorium in the paralyzed area, patients suffering from tetraplegia have a high risk from pressure sores. Bed sores respond successfully to therapy if, on observing the relevant basic nursing procedure--requiring in particular that the damaged areas of skin be consistently relieved from pressure by means of special positioning of the patient--the sores are subjected to intensive cleansing via surgical and/or enzymatic débridement, and are conditioned with the synthetic skin substitute Epigard. This is achieved as a result of therapeutic procedure followed in a series of methodical steps. Specific treatment with antibiotics before conditioning the wounds supplements these measures and facilitates the spontaneous healing of the lesions or, in the case of larger bed sores, the optimal preparation of the wound bed prior to skin grafting and plastic surgery.