Complications Associated with the Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Secondary Healing of Surgical Incisions of the Abdominal Wall

Deborah J Verran

Department of Transplantation Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia

^*Correspondance to: Deborah J Verran 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.2600

Abstract

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy is currently frequently used for dealing with either non-healing or open wounds following open abdominal surgical procedures. However, complications can arise including in particular infection, delayed and or slow wound healing, problems with device malfunction and in extreme cases failure to obtain complete healing of the abdominal wall. Due to the lack of accurate reporting of the rates of these particular complications, the true incidence remains unknown but could potentially be as high as 20% based on limited data from the last decade. The potential negative impact of NPWT on the bacterial bio burden in the abdominal wall is such that additional measures may be required to specifically address this, but evidence is lacking as to the best approach and in which patient sub groups. These particular complications can also pose additional challenges for surgeons, along with other members of the healthcare team, over and above the direct impact on patients. Even now it is difficult to obtain accurate data on the cost utility of NPWT for the optimal management of secondary healing of the abdominal wall following abdominal surgery, with context being important. Hence calls continue to be made for further Randomized Trials to be undertaken, involving larger numbers of patients, with defined entry criteria, defined clinical end points and comprehensive reporting of all complications sustained during NPWT.

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Cite the article

Verran DJ. Complications Associated with the Use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Secondary Healing of Surgical Incisions of the Abdominal Wall. Clin Surg. 2019; 4: 2600.