Surgical treatment of pressure sores in paraplegics and possible prevention of their recurrence.

The surgical treatment of pressure sores in paraplegics was, and still is, a very difficult and not at all solved problem, since these necrotic ulcers are not caused by any disease of the local tissue, but by lack of sensibility due to interruption of the spinal cord at a much higher level. For this reason all our efforts must be aimed at attaining two goals. First, we must replace the pressure sore by a supple, well-nourished cushion of soft tissue, which can support the weight of the body for a limited period of time. Second, we must prevent new pressure sores from developing by ensuring even distribution of the weight of the body and frequent change of body position.