Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Nov-Dec;43(6):325-329.
doi: 10.1097/NOR.0000000000001075. Epub 2024 Nov 26.

Methods to Manage Edema and Reduce Flap Compression in Postoperative Nursing Care Following Trauma to the Lower Extremity

Albert L Rancu  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Fabrizio A Darby  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Leon D Averbukh  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Allen Nicholson  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Karen M Myrick  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Michael P Leslie  1   2   3   4   5   6   7 , Daniel H Wiznia  1   2   3   4   5   6   7
Affiliations
Review

Methods to Manage Edema and Reduce Flap Compression in Postoperative Nursing Care Following Trauma to the Lower Extremity

Albert L Rancu et al. Orthop Nurs. 2024 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Lower extremity edema and compression are potential causes of poor soft tissue healing and flap failure for patients who suffer lower extremity trauma. This review summarizes techniques aimed at reducing edema and mechanical pressure in these patients as well as those undergoing soft tissue coverage techniques. We conducted a literature review for postoperative nursing management to reduce edema in the lower extremity, following traumatic injury. To assist orthopaedic nurses in acute care settings, this review presents techniques for reducing edema and mechanical pressure in patients recovering from lower extremity trauma. The accompanying figures demonstrate how to apply these techniques. Techniques such as rope suspension, mini water mattresses, and pillow or blanket stacking were identified as measures that can reduce edema and compression for patients recovering from lower extremity trauma as well as those requiring soft tissue coverage procedures.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript.

References

    1. Bhatnagar A. (1997a). Miniwatermattress to prevent pressure sores over the heel. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 99(3), 927–928. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006534-199703000-00070 - DOI
    1. Bhatnagar A. (1997b). Miniwatermattress to prevent pressure sores over the heel. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 99(3), 927–928. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006534-199703000-00069 - DOI
    1. Buford G. A., & Trzeciak M. A. (2003). A novel method for lower-extremity immobilization after free-flap reconstruction of posterior heel defects. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 111(2), 821–824. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.Prs.0000039398.59464.D4 - DOI
    1. Burtt K. E., Badash I., Leland H. A., Gould D. J., Rounds A. D., Patel K. M., & Carey J. N. (2020). The efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy and antibiotic beads in lower extremity salvage. Journal of Surgical Research, 247, 499–507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2019.09.055 - DOI
    1. Campbell K. E., Woodbury M. G., & Houghton P. E. (2010). Implementation of best practice in the prevention of heel pressure ulcers in the acute orthopedic population. International Wound Journal, 7(1), 28–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-481X.2009.00650.x - DOI