The Change of Clinical Features and Surgical Outcomes in Patients With Pressure Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study

Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably and negatively affected numerous lives and economies worldwide; specifically, it has led to delays in seeking medical treatment among many people [1-3]. Delaying or avoiding seeking medical advice can result in worsened symptoms, delayed evaluation, and treatment complications [4-7]. Moreover, the pandemic has significantly impacted health-care systems, leading to numerous issues including shortages of medical staff, beds, equipment, medicines, and isolation facilities. The concern of cross-contamination-where COVID-19 may spread within wards unknowingly-has also increased the emotional burden among health-care workers [8-10].

Pressure injury (PI) is a common health issue particularly among older people who have physical limitations or are bedridden. PI management often requires a long-term individualized plan. Failure to implement this strategy may influence the quality of life and may cause wound-related psychosocial issues (e.g., low self-esteem), increase health-care expenditures, and shorten survival among the patients [11]. Moreover, long-term PIs are prone to infection and bleeding, which may lead to sepsis or anemia [12-14].

The current study explored whether COVID-19 pandemic-related changes affected the characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with PIs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• all patients who received debridement or flap-reconstruction surgery for Pressure injury at Wan Fang Hospital from January 2016 to December 2021.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who underwent debridement or flap-reconstruction surgery across the pre-COVID and COVID periods were excluded from the study.