Pressure ulcer development following cardiothoracic surgery: A comparision of surgical closure methods

Summary: Abstract Body: Patients recovering from cardiothoracic surgical procedures are at an increased risk of postoperative complications related to immobility. Hospital Acquired Pressure Injuries (HAPIs) are a common complication of hospitalization and can occur during the postoperative period. This study aims to compare the use of sutures with tissue adhesive in patients who underwent surgical procedures in the development of HAPIs following these procedures. Following extensive literature review, the TriNetX database was used to compile de-identified patient information using code G0168 "Wound closure utilizing tissue adhesive only" compared to ICD-10 code Z48.0 “Encounter for attention to dressings, sutures and drains” among patients who underwent surgical procedures on the heart and pericardium using code 1006057. Patients were balanced for age, sex, and ethnicity. Across patients following these surgical procedures (n=721), there was no significant difference in risk of hospital acquired pressure injuries in patients with wounds surgically closed with tissue adhesive compared to suture closure (RR= 0.785, 95% CI= (0.511,1.205). Additionally, patients closed with tissue adhesive compared to those closed with sutures had no significant difference in the according to a Kaplan-Meier Analysis (54.231% compared to 90.038% with a p-value of 0.0878). Across patients with a pressure ulcer following any surgical procedure (n=16,390), there was a statistically significant increased risk of HAPI by 0.373% in patients with sutures compared to tissue adhesive (RR= 1.212, 95% CI= (1.039,1.426). Future studies are needed to evaluate risk factors for HAPIs following cardiothoracic surgical procedures. Gazal Parekh¹, Sarah E. Muir¹, Charles T. Park¹, quincy seigel¹ 1. The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States. Stem Cell Biology, Tissue Regeneration and Wound Healing