Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: An Analysis of Its Effectiveness on the Reduction of Postoperative Infection in...

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been used for postsurgical wound management across various disciplines, including spinal surgery. However, its efficacy in reducing wound infection rates after posterior thoracolumbar spine surgery remains uncertain.

A retrospective review was conducted at a single institution, examining 266 patients who underwent posterior thoracic, lumbar, or thoracolumbar spine surgery performed by 1 neurosurgeon. Data included NPWT usage, type of surgery, infection rates, prior spinal surgeries, demographics, comorbidities, smoking status, and immune profiles. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate correlations.

Of the 266 patients, 122 (46%) were males, 144 (54%) were females, and 213 (80%) were Black. Patients had a mean age of 56.4 years and an average body mass index of 29.6 kg/m². NPWT was applied to 153 patients (57.5%). Postoperative wound infections occurred in 35 patients (13%), with 19 (54%) in the NPWT group. Overall, NPWT use was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in infection rates (P = 0.69). However, analysis of patients with multiple comorbidities showed a significant decrease in infections with NPWT (P < 0.01). A total of 198 patients (74.4%) had at least 1 comorbidity, and 10.1% (n = 20) had 2 or more major comorbidities.

NPWT significantly reduced infection rates in patients with multiple comorbidities, suggesting its potential benefit in managing wound infections in this subgroup. This finding is particularly relevant for an urban, minority patient population, highlighting the importance of tailored wound care strategies.