Decubitus

Abstract

Since decubitus, one of the common lesions, is not yet fully under medical control, it still offers serious problems. The incidence of this lesion once comprised about 12% of the patients hospitalized in a geriatric institution, and was responsible for the development of sepsis in about 20% of those cases. Although the inci-dence of this lesion has been declining, it still devilitates many geriatric patients, especially with neurological or malignant diseases. Care being necessary to disperse the pressure on the skin adjacent to the bone, many devices have been invented. The air-fluidized bed is especially effective in preventing and alleviating decubitus. How-ever, a simple device utilizing polyvinyl sponge plates is worthy to try from the standpoint of cost-performance. Several surgical reparative manouvres as well as newly developed medicines, such as prostaglandin El etc. now promote favourable outcomes. However, the imortance of basic preventive care, such as postural change with massage, local hygiene, nutrition, etc. cannot be ignored. © 1990, The Japan Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved.