Development of a Three-dimensional Spacer Mattress for Pressure Relief in Cardiac Surgery and Evaluation of Its Efficacy: A Feasibility Study.

Objective: To develop a three-dimensional (3D) spacer mattress for pressure relief and to evaluate its effectiveness during cardiac surgery.

Methods: This study consisted of 3 phases: development, initial assessment, and randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06071039). Sixty patients underwent cardiac surgery divided into 2 groups, 30 patients each. The data were collected in a public hospital in Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate Sancaktepe Sehit Prof Dr Ilhan Varank Training and Research Hospital between February and September 2023. A 3D spacer mattress was used for the intervention group, and a standard operating theatre mattress (foam) was used for the control group. Pressures on the sacrum, left heel, and right heel were measured throughout surgery using a continuous pressure measurement system.

Results: The mean pressure values were 49.73 ± 17.40, 15.65 ± 5.19, and 18.01 ± 9.34 mm Hg for sacrum, left heel, and right heel, respectively, in the control group, whereas the mean pressure values were 28.21 ± 11.70, 5.88 ± 1.88, and 6.56 ± 2.81 mm Hg for the sacrum, left heel, and right heel, respectively, in the intervention group. The means of the maximum pressure values were 90.36 ± 8.63, 62.51 ± 13.77, and 54.19 ± 16.71 mm Hg for sacrum, left heel, and right heel, respectively, in the control group, whereas the means of the maximum pressure values were 49.31 ± 12.61, 28.82 ± 13.56, and 31.17 ± 16.65 mm Hg for the sacrum, left heel, and right heel, respectively, in the intervention group. There were statistically significant differences between the groups for mean and maximum pressure on the sacrum, left heel, and right heel ( P < .05).

Conclusions: The use of a 3D spacer mattress is an effective method to relieve pressure during cardiac surgery.