Mepilex Border Dressings for the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers Caused by Nephrostomy Tube Securement

Objective: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of Mepilex Border dressings for the prevention of medical device-related pressure ulcers (MDR PUs) caused by the nephrostomy tube securement with the drainage tube. Methods: Equally randomized 60 obstructive hydronephrosis patients in our hospital who were treated by ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (from March 2018 to March 2019) into observation group and control group. The observation group was applied dressings beneath the junctions of nephrostomy tubes and drainage tubes before secured with 5*5cm I-shaped 3M elastic adhesive tape to avoid direct contact to patients’ skin; the control group was only secured with 5*5cm I-shaped 3M elastic adhesive tape to the bare skin. The incidences of skin indentations, local pain and pressure ulcers under the junctions were compared between two groups. Results: There were statistical significance (P<0.05) among two groups: all patients in control group (n=30) were presented with skin indentations in different degrees, 21 with local pain, 6 with first-stage pressure ulcers, while no evidence of the above situations was found in the observation group. Conclusions: Application of Mepilex Border dressings can prevent the occurrence of MDR PUs to improve patient comfort.