OBJECTIVETo summarize the methods and results of the surgical treatment of patients with multiple pressure sores.

METHODSTwenty-one patients with 56 multiple pressure sores, hospitalized from January 2001 to May 2007, were treated with transfer of various skin flaps together with skin grafting. The pressure sores were respectively located in sacrococcygeal region (21 wounds), ischial tuberosity (14 wounds), greater trochanter of femur (13 wounds) and other sites (8 wounds). All the patients were given systemic supporting treatment in perioperative period and early debridement . The wounds were repaired with flaps, fascio-musculocutaneous flaps, or free skin grafts according to their size, depth, position and the condition of adjacent skin and soft tissue. Continuous irrigation, negative pressure suction, regular posture changes in turning frame after operation were also emphasized.

RESULTSTwenty-five wounds were repaired by fascio-cutaneous flap or myocutaneous flap with healing rate of 90%. Thirteen wounds were repaired by adjacent regional flap with healing rate of 85%. Eight wounds were treated with direct suturing,among which 6 healed completely. Ten wounds were treated with free skin grafting,among whom 7 healed completely. Among 9 delayed healing wounds, 4 wounds healed after debridement and suturing or free skin transplantation for second time, 4 wounds healed by dressing change in a short time, and in the last a chronic sinus remained. Follow-up over 6 months, multiple pressure sores recurred in 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONEnhancing systemic supporting treatment in perioperative period, using fascio-cutaneous flap or myocutaneous flap to repair multiple sores, followed by continuous irrigation and negative pressure suction after operation, and regular postural change on turning frame, contribute a rate of success for management of multiple pressure sores.