Anesthetic care for patients with skin breakdown.

Wound patients commonly have multiple comorbidities, which should be optimized before anesthesia. These factors contribute not only to skin breakdown but also other causes of mortality and morbidity. Skin becomes more vulnerable to damage from pressure, friction, shear, and moisture when the skin is dry, less elastic, and less perfused. Careful assessment and implementation of an anesthetic plan using regional or general techniques can improve outcomes. The anesthesiologist plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis during the surgically stressful perioperative period of the wound patient. Aggressive wound management in the early stages is likely to prevent wound progression to deeper levels. Policies are being implemented to decrease the risk of pressure ulcers by prevention.