New independent data from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, USA, has demonstrated that the use of negative pressure therapy using Prevena incision management system may reduce the rate of major wound complications and associated costs following vascular groin surgery in high-risk patients. The results were presented at the 2017 Society for Vascular Surgery annual meeting (SVS; May 31–June 3, San Diego, USA).
“There is a risk of complication following any procedure that involves an incision, but the risks are even higher with groin incisions. Morbidity related to groin wounds leads to significant increases in length of stay, need for re-operation, re-admission, and even limb loss,” says Paul DiMuzio, lead investigator, Philadelphia, USA. “The study results indicate that negative pressure therapy over the closed incision significantly decreases the rates of these complications in patients at high risk, and further reduces associated health care costs well beyond the cost of the therapy.”
DiMuzio and a team of independent researchers conducted a randomised controlled, prospective, single-institution study at Thomas Jefferson University, evaluating 140 closed femoral incisions treated with the Prevena incision management system vs. standard gauze dressings, following elective vascular surgery. In the high-risk incision cohort, study results found that use of Prevena was associated with significantly reduced:
- major wound complications (8.5% Prevena group vs. 21.7% control group; p<0.001)
- reoperation (8.5% Prevena group vs. 18.3% control group; p<0.05) and
- readmission (6.8% Prevena group vs. 16.7% control group; p<0.04)
Complications from surgical site infections (SSIs) may lead to reoperation and re-admittance significantly impacting healthcare costs. SSIs remain a significant burden for patients and the healthcare system, as they are associated with productivity loss, extended hospital stays, increased health care provider visits and greater financial costs.
“This groundbreaking work adds to the growing body of clinical evidence that clearly demonstrates the use of negative pressure to reduce global health care costs,” says R Andrew Eckert, president and chief executive officer of Acelity. “The Acelity negative pressure portfolio is the most trusted name in advanced wound therapy having treated more than 10 million wounds around the world. We are thrilled to see our innovative Prevena therapy provide indisputable benefits to patients, clinicians and health systems.”
Most recently, Acelity launched the Prevena Duo incision management system, a single-use negative pressure therapy system designed specifically for the simultaneous management of two closed surgical incisions.
