Prevention of Intraoperative Acquired Pressure Injury in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer and Its Effect on Skin Microclimate: A Single-Blind Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study investigated alterations in the skin microclimate of the sacrococcygeal compression area in patients with malignant head and neck tumours before and after surgery. Additionally, it evaluated the effect of preventive dressings on the skin microclimate in this area and their association with intraoperative acquired pressure injuries (IAPIs), aiming to provide a foundation for preventing and reducing these injuries. Thirty patients were randomly assigned into control and two intervention groups. The sacrococcygeal skin of the control group was not protected by preventive dressing. Intervention group A was protected by silicone foam dressing, and intervention group B received a combination of liquid dressing and silicone foam dressing. Sacrococcygeal skin temperature, skin moisture levels and sebum were measured at admission, before and after surgery, and post-operative skin and pain were evaluated. There were no significant differences in skin temperature, moisture levels or sebum between the three groups before and after the intervention. The incidence of IAPI was significantly different (χ² = 6.240, p = 0.044). No significant difference was observed in post-operative pain incidence. Preventive dressings did not significantly alter the skin microclimate but reduced the risk of IAPIs.