In the case of severely injured or weak patients, one of the most difficult problems to physicians is the management of pressure sores. It is generally known, however, that severely injured deep pressure sores extended to the bones are cured only by surgical treatment.
On the other hand, it has been reported that sugar promotes granulation of tissues and thus cures wounds. We examined the effect of sugar mixed with povidone-iodine or silver-sulfadiazine ointment on the deep pressure sores of Grade 3/4 (Shea 1975). Within the first week of sugar therapy, the color of the ulcers turned to fresh pink, thus indicating that the circulation of the sore and its surrounding were improved. Then the ulcers gradually disappeared and filled with pink granulation tissue. However, long-term application of povidone-iodine sugar sometimes caused infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, resulting in retardation of healing. Use of silver-sulfadiazine sugar cured the infection and promoted granulation of tissues. Finally the ulcers were covered with skin. But duration of the therapy depended upon the degree of the sores as well as of the conditions of patients. Thus, it seems that sugar therapy is a useful means for the treatment of severe pressure sores.