This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citing articles on Web of Science (8)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Sherman G. Souther, MD; Stephen D. Carr, LVN; Lars M. Vistnes, MD

AMA Arch Surg. 1973;107(4):544-547.

Abstract
The ability of two types of operating table pads to reduce pressure under bony prominences was evaluated. Pressures were measured beneath the occiput, scapula, olecranon, sacrum, ischial tuberosity, and calcaneus of ten normal volunteers in the supine position, and beneath the trochanter major with patients in the lateral decubitus position, on a standard (latex foam rubber) pad and a water-filled, polyurethane foam pad. Both pads failed to reduce pressure below mean capillary pressure, and neither pad was as effective in reducing pressure as cushions currently available for wheelchairs or beds. The water-filled, polyurethane foam pad did reduce pressure beneath the occiput, calcaneus, and trochanter major significantly (P<.01) more than the standard pad. The need for an operating table pad that reduces pressure under bony prominences is discussed, and a practical, theoretically effective cushion is suggested.

Author Affiliations
Palo Alto, Calif

From the departments of surgery (plastic and reconstructive), Stanford University Medical Center; and the Veterans Administration Hospital, Palo Alto, Calif.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication April 19, 1973.

Reprint requests to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Section, Veterans Administration Hospital, 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304 (Dr. Vistnes).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?