Incision Management Research Articles

Evaluation of negative pressure wound therapy to closed laparotomy incisions in acute care surgery

BackgroundSurgical site complications in the form of wound infections are a major burden to the healthcare system. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) as delivered by a surgical incision management system (SIMS) is a novel approach to improve wound healing when applied to closed incisions. However, data is limited in its application to laparotomy incisions in the acute care surgery setting. MethodsA retrospective case-control study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of SIMS with regard to surgical site infections in a series of 48 consecutive patients in which SIMS was applied to closed laparotomy incisions in the acute care surgery setting. Results48 cases were matched with equivalent controls without significant differences between groups. Patients who received the SIMS had significantly lower rates of surgical site infection and readmission rates. ConclusionsNegative pressure surgical incision management systems may be a novel approach to reduce surgical site infections in acute care surgery.

Searching for the safest abdominal closure technique after emergency laparotomy for Hinchey III and IV peritonitis

Background: The optimal strategy for abdominal wall closure has been an ongoing issue of debate and convincing evidence is still lacking. The INLINE systematic review and meta-analysis published on annals of surgery 2010 suggested that a running suture with a slowly absorbable suture material was the gold standard technique for abdominal wall closure after elective surgery, while there’s no general agreement in the emergency setting.Methods: Retrospective study regarding patients who underwent emergency surgery for a generalized peritonitis due to colonic perforation from 2002 to 2014 at San Gerardo hospital (Monza, Italy). Particularly study analyzed differences between continuous suture (Maxon loop, Covidien ©) and interrupted suture (Safil, B. Braun ©) for fascial closure and between metallic clips and second intention healing for incision management. After completion of data retrieval, 110 patients were included in the statistical analysis.Results: Incisional hernia rate was 15/101 (14.9%) and surgical site infection rate was 29/110 (26.4%). No significant statistical differences were found between incidence of incisional hernia and surgical site infection in the two groups, although there was a higher prevalence of incisional hernia in the running suture group (25% vs 11,7%). There was no difference between skin-stapler’s and second-intention’s wound closure groups in terms of surgical site infection and incisional hernia development.Conclusions: We consider reasonable to use an interrupted long time absorbable suture for fascial closure after emergency midline laparotomy for Hinchey III and IV peritonitis, at least in high-risk patients. Considering skin closure, suggestion is to perform a primary skin closure.

Considering Closed Incision Negative Pressure Therapy for Obese Patients with Gynecologic Malignancies [31E

INTRODUCTION: In patients with major comorbidities undergoing complex gynecologic surgery, incision management is critical. This retrospective review examined factors associated with incisional complications in patients with multiple comorbidities who underwent laparotomy by the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at our institution. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who underwent laparotomy for either complex benign gynecologic procedures or gynecologic malignancies from 2013 to July 2016. Descriptive statistics were computed using Fishers Exact Test. RESULTS: 217 patients were identified who underwent laparotomy; 144 had a gynecologic malignancy and 73 were benign. 42 had a negative pressure VAC system placed. 14 patients with postoperative wound complications were identified. Various risk factors, including body mass index (BMI), age, smoking, diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, cancer, and blood transfusion were examined. Only obesity (BMI greater than 30) was significantly associated with wound complication (p = 0.02; OR 4.3; 95% CI 1.28-14.81). However, only 3 out of the 14 patients that had wound infections had a negative pressure VAC. The average BMI for patients with a negative pressure VAC that did not develop a wound complication was 37.6 plus or minus 9.5, however it was 46.8 plus or minus 11.6 (P less than 0.0001) for those that did. CONCLUSION: Obese patients have a higher risk for postsurgical wound complications. Negative pressure VAC therapy could be a preventative measure for obese patients with gynecologic malignancies undergoing laparotomy. Further study is warranted to determine whether closed incision negative pressure therapy reduces the rate of wound complications.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Management of Combat Wounds: A Critical Review

Significance: Wounds sustained in a combat trauma often result in a composite tissue loss. Combat injuries, due to high energy transfer to tissues, lead to trauma at multiple anatomical sites. An early wound cover is associated with lower rate of infections and a faster wound healing. The concept of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the management of combat-related wounds has evolved from the civilian trauma and the wounds from nontraumatic etiologies. Recent Advances: Encouraged by the results of NPWT in noncombat-related wounds, the military surgeons during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom used this novel method in a large percentage of combat wounds, with gratifying results. The mechanism of NPWT in wound healing is multifactorial and often complex reconstructive procedure can be avoided in a combat trauma setting. Critical Issues: Wounds sustained in military trauma are heavily contaminated with dirt, patient clothing, and frequently associated with extensive soft tissue loss and osseous destruction. Delay in evacuation during an ongoing conflict carries the risk of systemic infection. Early debridement is indicated followed by delayed closure of wounds. NPWT helps to provide temporary wound cover during the interim period of debridement and wound closure. Future Directions: Future area of research in combat wounds is related to abdominal trauma with loss of abdominal wall. The concept of negative pressure incisional management system in patients with a high risk of wound breakdown following surgery is under review, and may be of relevance in combat wounds.

Initial Experience Using Closed Incision Negative Pressure Therapy after Immediate Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction.

Summary:Although immediate postmastectomy breast reconstruction is favored over delayed reconstruction, it remains associated with high complication rates. Potential complications include seroma formation, dehiscence, infection, and tissue necrosis along incision edges. Closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT; Prevena Incision Management System, KCI, an Acelity company, San Antonio, Tex.) has been reported to help hold incision edges together, protect incisions from external contamination, and remove fluid and infectious material. We investigated outcomes of applying ciNPT with a customizable dressing over closed incisions in 13 patients (25 breasts) who received immediate postmastectomy reconstruction as part of 2-stage expander/implant breast reconstruction. Nipple-sparing mastectomy was performed on 14 breasts, reduction-pattern mastectomy on 6 breasts, and skin-sparing mastectomy on 5 breasts. All breasts had ciNPT with a customizable dressing applied over the entire clean closed incision immediately after surgery at −125 mmHg for an average of 4.3 days. At 3-month follow-up, 24 of the 25 (96%) breasts had achieved healing. Delayed hematoma occurred on postoperative day 13 in 1 breast in the nipple-sparing mastectomy group and resolved. In the reduction-pattern mastectomy group, superficial dehiscence occurred on 3 breasts and resolved with local wound care. One breast in that group developed flap necrosis requiring surgical revision. Less drainage was observed in attached closed-suction drains, so time to drain removal was reduced from an estimated average of 12–14 days to 8.2 days. Based on the initial experience in this study, larger studies are warranted to evaluate the use of ciNPT with customizable or peel-and-place dressings after immediate postmastectomy breast reconstruction.

Closed incision negative pressure therapy: international multidisciplinary consensus recommendations.

Surgical site occurrences (SSOs) affect up to or over 25% of patients undergoing operative procedures, with the subset of surgical site infections (SSIs) being the most common. Commercially available closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) may offer surgeons an additional option to manage clean, closed surgical incisions. We conducted an extensive literature search for studies describing ciNPT use and assembled a diverse panel of experts to create consensus recommendations for when using ciNPT may be appropriate. A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using key words ‘prevention’, ‘negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)’, ‘active incisional management’, ‘incisional vacuum therapy’, ‘incisional NPWT’, ‘incisional wound VAC’, ‘closed incisional NPWT’, ‘wound infection’, and ‘SSIs’ identified peer‐reviewed studies published from 2000 to 2015. During a multidisciplinary consensus meeting, the 12 experts reviewed the literature, presented their own ciNPT experiences, identified risk factors for SSOs and developed comprehensive consensus recommendations. A total of 100 publications satisfied the search requirements for ciNPT use. A majority presented data supporting ciNPT use. Numerous publications reported SSI risk factors, with the most common including obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2); diabetes mellitus; tobacco use; or prolonged surgical time. We recommend that the surgeon assess the individual patient's risk factors and surgical risks. Surgeons should consider using ciNPT for patients at high risk for developing SSOs or who are undergoing a high‐risk procedure or a procedure that would have highly morbid consequences if an SSI occurred.

Use of the Prevena Incision Management System as a potential solution for high-risk, complicated perineal wounds.

Use of the Prevena Incision Management System as a potential solution for high-risk, complicated perineal wounds.

Negative pressure therapy is effective in abdominal incision closure

BackgroundCDC wound classification demonstrates surgical site infection (SSI) occurs in 15%-30% of contaminated (class III) and >30% of dirty-infected (class IV) wounds. Several techniques have been used to decrease SSI rates in midline laparotomy incisions; however, no technique has shown superiority. Evidence suggests incisional negative pressure wound therapy (INPWT) can decrease wound complications, but no literature exists regarding INPWT for high-risk laparotomy incisions. We sought to analyze the efficacy of INPWT in the management of high-risk midline laparotomy incisions. MethodsRetrospective review of adult patients who underwent laparotomy between January 2013 and June 2014 with midline closure using INPWT. Only class III or IV wounds were included. Laparotomy incisions were loosely closed. INPWT set at 125 mm Hg is placed over oil emulsion impregnated gauze. INPWT is removed after 5 d and the wound left open to air. Records were reviewed for immediate and/or delayed surgical site complications. Primary end point was 30-d incisional SSI. Secondary end points included other surgical site complications. ResultsOne class III and 12 class IV wounds were treated with INPWT for a median of 5 d. The class III wound developed a small skin dehiscence with no evidence of superficial or deep SSI. Among class IV wounds, the rate of superficial and deep incisional SSI was 25% and 0%, respectively. The overall surgical site complication rate was 41.7%. ConclusionsINPWT in closure of high-risk midline laparotomy incisions is a safe, effective method of wound closure with equivalent SSI rates to previously described methods.

Negative-Pressure Therapy to Reduce the Risk of Wound Infection Following Diverting Loop Ileostomy Reversal: An Initial Study.

To evaluate if the application of a negative-pressure therapy system (Prevena Incision Management System, Kinetics Concepts Inc, [KCI] an Acelity Company, San Antonio, Texas) on ileostomy-closure surgical wounds would reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) in comparison with conventional closure and dressing. Prospective interventional pilot study. La Paz University Hospital, tertiary care academic hospital in Madrid, Spain. The Prevena device was applied on the wounds of 17 consecutive patients undergoing ileostomy reversal. Control subjects were 43 patients undergoing the same procedure, in which conventional dressings were used for the wound. The device was applied on the wound immediately after surgery (under sterile conditions) and maintained for 5 to 7 days. Patients were evaluated daily, and on the seventh postoperative day, the device was removed and wounds carefully inspected. Another evaluation was performed a month after the surgical intervention in the outpatient clinic. The primary end point of the study was the detection of SSI (defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions). Other intervention-related complications were also registered. There were no significant differences in demographic variables between groups. In the control group, 9 patients (21%) presented SSI, with statistical significance (P < .038) when compared with the intervention group (0%). There were no complications associated with the application of the Prevena device. Other complications (for example, ileus or obstruction) occurred in 30% of patients. The negative-pressure Prevena System was safe and easy to use and may prevent SSIs in dirty wounds, such as those from ileostomy closure.

Use of Closed Incision Management with Negative Pressure Therapy for Complex Cardiac Patients.

Background: In patients with major comorbidities undergoing complex cardiothoracic surgery, incision management is critical. This retrospective review evaluated negative pressure over closed sternal incisions in cardiac patients with multiple comorbidities within 30 days post-median sternotomy.Methods: Records of post-sternotomy patients treated with Prevena™ Incision Management System (KCI, an Acelity company, San Antonio, TX), a closed incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT), were reviewed from September 2010 through September 2014. Data collected included demographics, major comorbidities, types of surgery, relevant medical history, incision length, therapy duration, time to follow-up, and incision complications. Descriptive statistics were computed for continuous variables, frequency, and percentages for categorical variables.Results: Twenty-seven patients were treated with ciNPT between September 2010 and September 2014. The mean patient age was 62.5 (SD 7.9), and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 38.5 (SD 4.4) kg/m2. Risk factors included obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, 27/27; 100%), diabetes (25/27; 92.6%), hypertension (16/27; 59.3%), and 20/27 patients (74%) had ≥ 5 comorbidities. Mean ciNPT duration was 5.6 (SD 0.9) days. Within 30 days post-surgery, 21/27 (77.8%) patients had intact incisions with good reapproximation. Two patients experienced minor dehiscences; four cases of superficial cellulitis were treated and resolved. One patient with a dehiscence was readmitted for intravenous antibiotics and five patients were managed successfully with antibiotics as outpatients. All patients had intact incisions with good skin approximation at final follow-up.Conclusions: In this retrospective study of post-sternotomy patients at high risk of developing complications, ciNPT over closed sternal incisions resulted in favorable outcomes within 30 days of surgery.

Novel Method of Surgical Incision Management in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery

We previously demonstrated that subcutaneous drain is effective for preventing incisional surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with thick subcutaneous fat in colorectal surgery. We have recently attempted a novel closure technique in colorectal surgery for the prevention of incisional SSI. In the current study, we described this novel method for prevention of incisional SSI and share our assessment of efficiency of this incision management in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. The procedure “wound dressing with temporary negative pressure” using Opsite Post-Op Visible and an Atom Multipurpose Tube, is a simple and easy method. Immediately after incisions were closed, Opsite Post-Op Visible dressing was applied over the incision site with an Atom Multipurpose catheter, and negative pressure was applied through the catheter. We analyzed the cases of 203 patients who underwent colorectal resection. In 60 cases, we performed this negative pressure system for prevention of SSI. We reviewed the clinical features of these cases treated by this novel method and found that the incisional SSI rate in patients who underwent colorectal resection was significantly reduced following the use of the new method. There were no complications in any of the cases due to DNP. This dressing with negative pressure (DNP) may lead to wound drainage and a reduction of dead space in a subcutaneous wound area. These findings indicate that the use of DNP is safe, easy, and effective for preventing incisional SSI in patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

A Rare Case of Massive Localized Lymphedema in a Morbidly Obese Patient.

A Rare Case of Massive Localized Lymphedema in a Morbidly Obese Patient.

Systematic review of the negative pressure wound therapy in kidney transplant recipients

AIMTo review negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) as an important addition to the conventional methods of wound management.METHODSA systematic review, performed by searching the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases, showed 11 case reports comprising a total of 22 kidney transplantation (KT) patients (range, 1 to 9), who were treated with NPWT. Application of NPWT was associated with successful healing of wounds, leg ulcer, lymphocele and urine leak from ileal conduit.RESULTSNo complications related to NPWT were reported. However, there was paucity of robust data on the effectiveness of NPWT in KT recipients; therefore, prospective studies assessing its safety and efficacy of NPWT and randomised trials comparing the effectiveness of NPWT with alternative modalities of wound management in KT recipients is recommended.CONCLUSIONNegative pressure incision management system, NPWT with instillation and endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure system are in investigational stage.

Choice of surgical procedure and management of postoperative incision for anal fistula

Anal fistula is a common disease in general surgery. It is difficult to heal without intervention and surgical treatment is the major treatment. Method of surgical treatment and management of postoperative incision are based on features and classifications of anal fistula. Choosing the appropriate approach in accordance with specific conditions of patients can obtain effective healing and proper protection against anal sphincter, along with the improvement of life quality. Comprehensive evaluation on methods of surgical treatment and managements of postoperative incision for anal fistula is presented in this paper.

A preliminary study of the effect of closed incision management with negative pressure wound therapy over high-risk incisions.

BackgroundCertain postoperative wounds are recognised to be associated with more complications than others and may be termed high-risk. Wound healing can be particularly challenging following high-energy trauma where wound necrosis and infection rates are high. Surgical incision for joint arthrodesis can also be considered high-risk as it requires extensive and invasive surgery and postoperative distal limb swelling and wound dehiscence are common. Recent human literature has investigated the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) over high-risk closed surgical incisions and beneficial effects have been noted including decreased drainage, decreased dehiscence and decreased infection rates. In a randomised, controlled study twenty cases undergoing distal limb high-energy fracture stabilisation or arthrodesis were randomised to NPWT or control groups. All cases had a modified Robert-Jones dressing applied for 72 h postoperatively and NPWT was applied for 24 h in the NPWT group. Morphometric assessment of limb circumference was performed at six sites preoperatively, 24 and 72 h postoperatively. Wound discharge was assessed at 24 and 72 h. Postoperative analgesia protocol was standardised and a Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Score (GCPS) carried out at 24, 48 and 72 h. Complications were noted and differences between groups were assessed.ResultsPercentage change in limb circumference between preoperative and 24 and 72 h postoperative measurements was significantly less at all sites for the NPWT group with exception of the joint proximal to the surgical site and the centre of the operated bone at 72 h. Median discharge score was lower in the NPWT group than the control group at 24 h. No significant differences in GCPS or complication rates were noted.ConclusionsDigital swelling and wound discharge were reduced when NPWT was employed for closed incision management. Larger studies are required to evaluate whether this will result in reduced discomfort and complication rates postoperatively.

Use of a Continuous External Tissue Expander in Total Ankle Arthroplasty: A Novel Augment to Wound Closure.

Despite major improvements in surgical technique and implant designs in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), wound healing complications are still commonly encountered. Not only do these problems delay postoperative recovery and threaten functional outcomes, they also carry an increased risk of progression to deep wound infection, which can jeopardize ultimate retention of the implant. In an effort to reduce the high frequency of wound-related complications after TAA, we have incorporated the use of continuous external tissue expansion (CETE) to augment our closures of the anterior ankle incision. CETE is an innovative technique that is currently being used to aid in the rapid closure of acute and chronic full thickness soft tissue defects, including fasciotomy wounds, high grade open fractures, and chronic foot ulcers. By exploiting the viscoelastic properties of the skin, this technique not only facilitates wound edge approximation of full thickness defects, it also helps take tension off tenuous incisions, thus allowing them to heal and reducing the chance for wound dehiscence. This is the first description of the use of an external tissue expander for the prevention of wound healing complications in the setting of TAA. Since introducing CETE to the closure of our TAA incisions, we have seen a decrease in the number of postoperative wound complications and time to wound healing. Based on our experience, we believe that the use of CETE for the prophylactic management of tenuous surgical incisions, specifically those used in the anterior approach to the ankle during TAA, is both safe and efficacious. Level V: Technique tip.

Prevention of Sternal Wound Infections by use of a Surgical Incision Management System: First Reported Australian Case Series

Sternal wound infections are considered a costly and potentially devastating consequence of the median sternotomy in cardiothoracic surgery. Surgical incision management employs the technique of applying a closed, negative pressure vacuum dressing to a closed wound. Several studies have demonstrated a reduction in sternal wound infections using this system. A retrospective audit of cases receiving surgical incision management demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in sternal wound infections against a predicted rate. Of the 62 patients identified, only one was complicated by a sternal wound infection with the greatest reduction seen in the high-risk infection group. Although smaller in size, the results compared well to trials conducted in larger European and US centres. Although not advocating surgical incision management for routine use, it should be considered on patients considered high-risk for sternal wound infection, such as diabetics, the elderly and the obese.

Our First Experience With Negative Pressure Incision Management System Implemented on the Clean Surgical Incision in the Renal Transplantation Recipient: A Case Report

Multiple comorbidities and environmental factors increase the complications of incisional wounds in patients. It was demonstrated in previous prospective and randomized studies that negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) reduced wound infection and other complications in clean, closed surgical incisions. In this case report, the Prevena incision management system was implemented on the clean, closed surgical incision of a 52-year-old female patient, who was given a renal transplantation from cadaver postoperatively in the operating theater. It was removed from the patient on the fifth day after the operation. Following the removal of Prevena, the wound and surrounding skin of the patient were observed. Wound healing was complete, and no skin lesion or tool-related complication was found around the wound due to NPWT. The Prevena NPWT system can be conveniently and safely implemented on the operational incision in renal transplant recipients in order to prevent surgical wound complications.

Prologue: transformational healing solutions.

In recent years, the provision of wound care for patients has dramatically improved through the development of new therapeutic options, allowing for a wide range of wound care therapy choices. In June 2014, an educational International Surgical Wound Forum (ISWF) was held to present current options in wound care to a multidisciplinary group of healthcare providers. Topics included negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d), surgical incision management (SIM), use of NPWT in the management of the open abdomen, epidermal skin harvesting, and advanced wound dressings. This supplement provides in-depth discussion of some of the topics covered at the 2014 ISWF.

A journey to zero: reduction of post-operative cesarean surgical site infections over a five-year period.

Surgical site infections (SSI) are a substantial concern for cesarean deliveries in which a surgical site complication is most unwelcome for a mother with a new infant. Steps taken pre- and post-operatively to reduce the number of complications may be of substantial benefit clinically, economically, and psychologically. A risk-based approach to incision management was developed and implemented for all cesarean deliveries at our institution. A number of incremental interventions for low-risk and high-risk patients including pre-operative skin preparations, standardized pre- and post-operative protocols, post-operative nanocrystalline silver anti-microbial barrier dressings, and incisional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) were implemented sequentially over a 5-y period. A systematic clinical chart review of 4,942 patients spanning all cesarean deliveries between 2007-2012 was performed to determine what effects the interventions had on the rate of SSI for cesarean deliveries. The percentage of SSI was reduced from 2.13% (2007) to 0.10% (2012) (p<0.0001). There were no substantial changes in the patient population risk factors over this time. As a result of the changes in incision management practice, a total of 92 cesarean post-operative SSIs were avoided: A total cost saving of nearly $5,000,000. Applying a clinical algorithm for assessing the risk of surgical site complication and making recommendations on pre-operative and post-operative incision management can result in a substantial and sustainable reduction in cesarean SSI.