Use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy in orthopedics

Abstract

This review article summarizes the results of currently available literature on use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy for primary closure of orthopedic incisions. Post-operative wound complications place a heavy toll on patients and the health care system. Patients with post-operative wound complications often require readmission, repeat surgery, prolonged hospitalization, and diminished outcomes. The financial burden on the health care system for surgical site infection, the most common post-operative wound complication, varies from $27,969 to over $100,000 per patient, representing a nearly 300% increase in health care costs.The role of incisional negative pressure wound therapy is currently being investigated in reducing post-operative wound complications. However, the subject is still novel and based on our literature search, only 11 papers discuss the role of incisional negative pressure wound therapy in orthopedic surgery, with only one paper providing level 1 evidence. However, despite the paucity of sufficient clinical trials, it appears that most reports suggest positive outcomes with use of negative pressure wound therapy.