Study: Negative pressure wound therapy lowers SSI risk

Editor's Note

In this study, the use of negative pressure wound therapy resulted in a significantly lower risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) than standard surgical incision closure.

A total of 123 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy were randomized to receive either negative pressure wound therapy or a standard closure of the surgical incision.

SSIs occurred in 9.7% of patients in the negative pressure group and in 31.1% of the standard closure group, a relative risk reduction of 68.8%.

SSIs independently increased the cost of hospitalization by 23.8%.

Incorporating negative pressure wound therapy in surgical practice can help reduce patient harm and healthcare costs, the researchers say.