Negative-pressure wound therapy applied to high-risk surgical incisions

Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is commonly used for chronic wounds, open fractures with soft tissue defects, and coverage over split-thickness skin grafts. NPWT uniformly draws wounds closed by helping to remove interstitial fluid, which contains inflammatory and potentially infectious exudate that could impair healing. Recently in our practice, we have used NPWT in cases involving tenuous incisions, such as those used to access target structures during total ankle replacement or open repair of joint depression calcaneal fractures, in an effort to prevent hematoma or wound dehiscence. Although it is generally understood that NPWT can be efficacious and cost-effective for management of a wide range of lower extremity wounds, we also believe it to be beneficial in the management of low-energy trauma and elective hindfoot and ankle reconstructions, and feel that it has led to decreased pain, swelling, and time to healing in our patients. Based on our experience with ankle arthroplasty and the surgical management of hindfoot and ankle trauma, we believe that the use of NWPT in the immediate postoperative period is both safe and efficacious.