Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Trauma Laparotomies and Rates of Superficial Surgical Site Infections

Objectives: Investigate the relationship between incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) and the development of superficial surgical site infections (SSIs) and wound dehiscence. Methods: A retrospective chart analysis was performed. Trauma patients between the ages of 18 and 89 years receiving an emergent exploratory laparotomy on admission between January 1, 2015, and March 31, 2022, were included. A multivariable analysis was performed. The primary and secondary outcomes were the development of superficial SSI and wound dehiscence, respectively, on the basis of the type of incision closure. Results: Two hundred forty-seven patients who met our criteria were analyzed. Of these, 135 patients were closed with staples plus iNPWT, and 112 patients were closed with only staples. The multivariable analysis found decreased odds of superficial SSI in patients who received staples plus iNPWT versus staples alone (odds ratio [OR] = 0.28, p = 0.019). The multivariable analysis found decreased odds of wound dehiscence in patients who received staples plus iNPWT versus staples alone (OR = 0.24, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our study revealed a statistically significant decreased odds of superficial SSI and wound dehiscence in patients who received staples plus iNPWT when compared with staples alone.