Prophylaxis of occipital pressure sores in patients after elective spinal surgery in a pandemic condition.

Background: Occipital pressure sores (OPS) are complications of the use of cervical collars. Prophylaxis of OPS in patients after cervical spinal surgery (CCS) appears to be neglected.

Material and methods: Cochrane Central, EMBASE, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies on OPS after CCS.

Results: We present the case of a patient with rheumatic arthritis who was secured with a hard collar after revision CCS and was not seen by a health professional due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The result was an OPS leading to deep tissue infection. The patient required a prolonged hospital stay and long-term antibiotic therapy. We found a lack of literature on OPS prevention in patients after CCS.

Conclusions: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis using collars after CCS are at risk of OPS. Protocols of prevention of OPS should be reviewed with respect to challenges resulting from epidemiological restrictions and accessibility of telemedical technologies.