Vaseline for the prevention of pressure ulcers during prone positioning for ARDS

Abstract

Objective: Prone positioning (PP) of patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) improves survival rates. However, this posture has significantly increased the prevalence of pressure ulcers. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential reduction in the prevalence of pressure ulcers through the preventive application of petroleum jelly before PP.

Patients and Methods: Over a 9-month period, 19 patients with moderate to severe ARDS were included. The management involved the generous application of a thick layer of petroleum jelly on all areas of interest (face, chest) and all prominent anterior parts of the body.

Results: The prevalence of pressure ulcers on the face and chest seven days after the first PP was 26% (only the face in 5 patients, face and chest in 1 patient). No pressure ulcers were observed at the time of discharge from the intensive care unit in surviving patients.

Conclusion: This observational study yields promising results regarding the preventive use of petroleum jelly as a method to prevent pressure ulcers related to PP. Inexpensive and easy to apply, a comparative and multicentric evaluation of its effectiveness is now necessary.