SKIN OXYGEN-TENSION AS A FUNCTION OF IMPOSED SKIN PRESSURE - IMPLICATION FOR DECUBITUS ULCER FORMATION

ABSTRACT: Pressure is a crucial factor in the formation of decubitus ulcers. To elucidate the effect of imposed skin pressure, a new cutaneous oxygen sensor was used to measure the skin oxygen tension under increasing pressure upon skin tissue at “hard sites” (bony prominences) and at “soft sites” (muscle‐padded areas). At hard sites the skin oxygen tension fell rapidly under increasing pressure (y = 90.9–0.39. X; r = 0.98) from an initial value of 86.4 ± 10.6 to 20.2 ± 12.1 mm Hg under an imposed skin pressure load of 175 gm/cm 2. At soft sites a pressure load of 175 gm/cm 2 decreased the skin oxygen tension only from 82.9 ± 5.8 to 71.4 ± 10.0 mm Hg. These results may explain why hard sites (bony prominences) are preferential areas for decubitus ulcer formation. 1979 The American Geriatrics Society