Management of skin damage of health workers’ face: the role of plastic surgery in the time of Pandemic: Management of skin damages in Covid-19 pandemic

Management of skin damage of health workers’ face: the role of plastic surgery in the time of Pandemic

Management of skin damages in Covid-19 pandemic

Authors

  • Roberto Cuomo University of Siena
  • Francesco Ruben Giardino 1- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit – University of Siena – Italy
  • Mirco Pozzi 1- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit – University of Siena – Italy
  • Giuseppe Nisi 1- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit – University of Siena – Italy
  • Andrea Sisti Visiting Researcher - Department of Plastic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Ohio, USA
  • Jingjian Han Jining First People’s Hospital - Jining Medical University – Jining city – People’s Republic of China
  • Angelo Nuzzo COVID Department – Intensive Care Unit – University of Siena – Italy
  • Alessia Muratori COVID Department – Intensive Care Unit – University of Siena – Italy
  • Emanuele Cigna Plastic Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa; Pisa, Italy
  • Luigi Losco Plastic Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa; Pisa, Italy
  • Luca Grimaldi Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience – Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit – University of Siena – Italy

Keywords:

Covid-19; nasal bridge ulcer; wound care; wounds

Abstract

Background

The Sars-Cov-2 virus is characterized by a being highly contagiousness, and this is the reason why massive use of personal protective equipment is required by medical and paramedical staff of the COVID-19 dedicated departments.

The aim of this manuscript is to describe and share our experience in the prevention and treatment of the personal protective equipment related pressure sores and other skin alterations in the medical and paramedical staff.

Materials and methods

All healthcare workers with PPE-related skin damages were registered at time 0.

Age, sex, profession, type of skin damage, diseases and possible drugs were registered.

Results

Two strategies were emplyed: the first strategy was to immediately treat the skin and the second one was to prevent pressure wounds formation both in already affected healthcare workers and the recurrence in healed staff.

Three weeks after the two strategies were used, the incidence rate PPE-related skin damage was reduced in a statistically significant way.

Conclusions

Proper management helps in reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers related to  personal protective devices in CoVid-19 Units. Skin prevention and hydration, have been obtained achieved by using products applied at home, autonomously.

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Published

12-05-2021

Issue

Section

ORIGINAL INVESTIGATIONS/COMMENTARIES - SPECIAL COVID19

How to Cite

1.
Management of skin damage of health workers’ face: the role of plastic surgery in the time of Pandemic: Management of skin damages in Covid-19 pandemic. Acta Biomed [Internet]. 2021 May 12 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];92(2):e2021185. Available from: https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/actabiomedica/article/view/11006