Does Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy for the Open Abdomen Benefit the Patient? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Abstract

Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is the most modern and sophisticated method of temporary abdominal closure. The aim of the study was to determine the significant predictors for mortality in patients with NPWT. University Clinical Centre Maribor, Slovenia MATERIALS AND METHODS:: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients treated with NPWT between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014. In the univariate analysis, the type of wound closure, more than 7 NPWT changes, the total days with NPWT, and time to wound closure were significantly associated with death of the patient. In the multivariate analysis, only the number of more than 7 NPWT changes was found as a significant predictor for death (P = .038). Negative-pressure wound therapy is a method of choice for the treatment of open abdomen if there is a clear indication. However, clinicians should try all measures to remove the NPWT system and close the abdomen as soon as possible because prolonged use is associated with significantly higher mortality.