Transcutaneous oxygen tension in subjects with tetraplegia with and without pressure ulcers: A preliminary report

This study compared transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcpO(2)) in subjects wit h paraplegia and pressure ulcers (PU), those with paraplegia and no pressur e ulcer (NPU), and ambulatory controls. TcpO(2) was measured using a surfac e-electrode monitoring system, recorded at 1-min intervals for 5 min and av eraged. Mean TcpO(2) was significantly lower in the PU than the NPU and con trol groups (23.53+/-1.83 vs. 58.93+/-2.53 and 79.70++/-6.77 mmHg, respecti vely, p<0.05). In a PU subgroup (n=4) mean TcpO(2) of the pressure ulcer an d nonpressure ulcer sides (trochanter or ischium) were significantly differ ent (21.05+/-2.98 vs. 67.65+/-2.11 mmHg, respectively, p<0.001). Additional ly, the NPU group demonstrated significantly lower TcpO(2) than the control s. PUs had a greater reduction in TcpO(2) levels relative to controls than NPUs. No association was found between TcpO(2) and duration of injury, comp leteness of lesion, or smoking history. Thus, TcpO(2) may be an effective m ethod to identify individuals who are susceptible to pressure ulcers. The f urther attenuation of TcpO(2) observed in the PU group may be useful to hel p predict whether ulcers will heal with local care or will require addition al treatment.