Single-use negative pression wound therapy: an extra help in preventing and treating surgical incision complications

Postsurgical wound complications, such as surgical site infections (SSi) and surgical wound dehiscence, cause substantial morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, costs and even mortality. Despite the implementation of such preventive measures as preoperative prophylaxis, antiseptic skin cleansing, an impeccable surgical technique and operating room behavior, surgical site infection rates remain above 15% after general abdominal surgery and they are especially high in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. the most frequent pathogens causing postoperative wound infection in general surgical patients indicate that endogenous contaminations from the patients' skin or the gastrointestinal tract occurring during surgery for most SSi. therefore, a considerable number of infections might be prevented by draining contaminated wound secretions from the incisional site during the early post-operative period. the use of disposable negative Wound Pression therapy (nPWt) as a postoperative system to manage closed incisions in high-risk patients is a relatively new concept with a growing body of evidence. Studies have demonstrated a number of benefits, including earlier cessation of wound drainage, reduction in seromas and hematomas and a reduction in dehiscence and infection rates. Single-use nPWt is an appropriate option for secondary healing post-surgical wound, too. It is effective in reducing fluid collection, in increasing growth of granulation tissue and in holding incision edges together. We describe our preliminary experience with this simple use and cost-effective technology.