Closed Incision Negative-Pressure Therapy (ciNPT) Reduces Minor Local Complications in Post-bariatric Abdominoplasty Body Contouring: a Retrospective Case-Control Series

Background Over 30% of the US population is obese and nearly 300,000 patients undergo bariatric surgery every year. Patients seeking body-contouring procedures face a staggering rate of surgical complications caused by obesity-associated systemic and local factors impairing wound healing. Closed incision negative-pressure therapy (ciNPT) systems could improve surgical outcomes in these patients. Here, we tested this hypothesis in a retrospective case-control series of post-bariatric patients undergoing an abdominoplasty. Methods We reviewed the clinical data of 11 post-bariatric patients (average BMI 34) who had undergone an abdominoplasty followed by either standard post-operative wound treatment (control) or ciNPT (at 125 mmHg for 8 days). Data (follow-up 90 days) was analyzed, measuring the time to heal of wounds (primary end-point), the rate of local surgical complications, and the quality of scars (Vancouver Scar Scale, VSS) (secondary endpoints). Results No discomfort was associated with the use of ciNPT. Surgical wounds healed two times faster in patients treated with ciNPT compared to controls (time-to-dry: 10.8 +/- 5 days vs. 23 +/- 7). ciNPT was associated with a significantly lower rate of minor local complications (0%) compared to controls (80%), leading to shorter hospitalization, less dressing changes, and lower costs for the care of wounds with minor complications. One patient in the ciNPT group developed a major local complication (hematoma). The VSS demonstrated a higher quality of scars in the ciNPT group at a 90-day follow-up. Conclusions ciNPT might reduce the rate of minor local complications in post-bariatric patients undergoing body-contouring procedures, improving surgical outcomes and treatment costs.