What are bedsores?

  Decubitus ulcers (also known as pressure sores and pressure ulcers) are caused by long-term pressure on local tissues, resulting in continuous ischemia, hypoxia, and malnutrition, leading to tissue ulceration and necrosis.  The main causes of decubitus ulcers are: (1) prolonged local pressure and lack of change in position, resulting in impaired circulation and tissue malnutrition. This is seen in incorrect semi-sitting or sitting positions, paralysis, coma, old age and frailty, emaciation, edema, and those who cannot move their positions after surgery.  2. The skin is often stimulated by physical factors such as moisture and abrasion, such as large amounts of sweat, incontinence, secretions, vomit, uneven clothes, crumpled bed sheets with debris, dragging when turning over, using a paint stripping commode, etc., which can lead to damage to the cuticle of the skin. Resistance is reduced.  3.Use of plaster bandages, splints, improper padding, loose and tight, resulting in local tissue blood circulation disorders.  4. Systemic malnutrition or inadequate blood supply to local tissues and reduced ability to prevent disease can easily lead to bed sores, such as in patients with long-term fever and cachexia.  Decubitus ulcers can be divided into three stages according to the process of formation: the erythema, blister and ulcer stages.  Decubitus ulcer degree I (erythematous phase): The pressure areas of the whole body show localized stasis and the skin shows erythematous spots. If pressure is removed during this period, the changes disappear within 48 hours.  Decubitus ulcer degree II (blistering stage): blisters of various sizes appear on the pressure area, and the skin becomes red and congested and does not subside when pressure is applied with the fingers.  Decubitus ulcer degree III (shallow ulcer): The ulcer does not exceed the whole layer of the skin, and because of the lack of blood supply at the base of the ulcer, it is pale, with edematous granulation and running water.  Decubitus ulcer degree IV (deep ulcer): deep fascia and muscles are involved, and the affected tissues are necrotic and black due to ischemia. Due to infection of cells, the lesion often invades bone and forms osteochondritis or osteomyelitis.  Decubitus ulcers mostly occur at the bony bulge where there is no muscle wrapping or the muscle layer is thin, and where there is a lack of fatty tissue protection and frequent pressure. These include the occipital region, auricle, scapula, elbow, vertebral body, hip, sacrococcygeal region, medial and lateral knee joints, internal and external ankles, and heel of the foot. They can also occur on the anterior superior iliac spine, the prominence of the rib cage, and the knee when the patient is prone, and the prone areas are related to the patient’s lying position. The key to controlling the occurrence of bedsores is prevention, and the implementation of measures can prevent bedsores from occurring and reduce the patient’s pain. However, patients with decubitus ulcers often fail to receive professional and systematic treatment, leading to an increase in the extent of the ulcers and deepening of the wounds, which eventually leads to uncontrollable infections and even life-threatening conditions. The Wound Repair Center adopts individualized treatment plans according to each patient’s own characteristics, and through comprehensive treatment methods such as nutritional support, anti-infection, negative pressure suction, surgical debridement and skin grafting or flap covering, the overall condition of patients can be controlled and their quality of life improved.