Effectiveness of gracilis muscle flap for treatment of degree 3 and 4 pressure ulcers on ischial tuberosities for elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss effectiveness of gracilis muscle flap for treatment of degree 3 and 4 pressure ulcers on ischial tuberosities for elderly patients.Methods From January 2010 to June 2015,19 elderly patients with pressure ulcers on the ischial tuberosities were enrolled,including 11 males and 8 females with an average age of 71.3 years ranging 62 to 86 years.The average course of disease was 9.6 months ranging 2 to 23 months,including 7 cases of degree 3 and 12 cases of degree 4 according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP).All cases were treated by gracilis musle flap after debridement.Results All muscle flaps survived without necrosis,2 cases had wound dehiscence after operation and were healed after symptomatic treatment,and the 17 wounds were healed for first intention.All patients were followed up for 6 months to 5 years.Pressure ulcer on the ischial tuberosities recurred in 1 case after operation and was healed by debridement and suture.Pressure ulcers did not recur in the rest cases.Conclusions Gracilis muscle flap in the treatment of degree 3 and 4 pressure ulcers on the ischial tuberosities has remarkable curative effect and high cure rate in elderly patients,it is worthy of clinical application.